Barbara C. Erny

Background

About Barbara C. Erny

Climate change is the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century, yet the subject is barely taught in medical schools or to healthcare providers. After 26 years in the clinical practice of ophthalmology, I am now devoting my time toward education on climate change, health and equity, advocacy, and sustainability in healthcare. Climate change is already having a negative impact on human health, as is the pollution generated by fossil fuels. Physicians must learn how to recognize and treat the effects of extreme heat, floods, respiratory illness, etc. and help patients adapt to the changes that are happening. This need has led me to work on climate curriculum through my role as adjunct clinical Associate Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, as well as the steering committee of Climate Resources for Health Education with the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education. I enjoy being on the editorial board of the Journal of Climate Change and Health, which helps to encourage research and learning about climate and health by the healthcare sector at large. Climate change is a threat to the health care system, and vice versa. Extreme weather events can damage hospitals and clinics, and they can also disrupt the supply chain for medical supplies. Conversely, the health care sector accounts for about 8.5% of all the greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. We have a professional obligation to protect the health of our patients, so we must reduce our own carbon footprint. By founding and being on the advisory board of EyeSustain, and being a member of the Climate Action Working Group of the IAPB, I am helping to make ophthalmology more sustainable and less wasteful. Physicians have a particular responsibility to do everything we can to mitigate climate change and its profound effects on human and planetary health. We have a platform to raise awareness about health impacts and influence policy. Being on the steering committee of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health has given me the opportunity to work with like-minded to advocate for implementation of climate change solutions.