Today We Celebrate Earth, Our Island Home
Earth Day, observed April 22, has become the largest civic event on Earth, according to earthday.org, activating billions of people in 192 countries.
On Earth, we're traveling around the sun at an average velocity of 66,599.807 miles per hour. At the same time, we're also spinning at enormous speed, up to 1,000 miles per hour depending on our position on Earth. As far as humans know, our planet is unique in our solar system for providing the conditions that allow us to live and thrive here.
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, when a U.S. senator from Wisconsin organized a national demonstration to raise awareness about environmental issues. Rallies took place across the country and, by the end of the year, the U.S. government had created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
As we reflect on Earth Day, I'd like to offer some personal thoughts on the "home" we call EvergreenHealth. As a large employer with more than 5,000 employees, with large buildings in many communities, and serving thousands of patients a day, our impact cannot be understated. And that impact extends well beyond the clinical and support services we provide to include the footprint we leave behind.
At my other home, I'm Dad picking misplaced recyclables and compostables out of the trash, turning out lights (apologies to my family when they were still using that room), and re-setting the thermostat. I grew up in a "just put on a sweater" and "stop heating/cooling the entire neighborhood" home. And I shared a bathroom with two siblings where the hot water always ran out before we could all shower. That reality encouraged conservation. And I carry that same mentality with me to work every day.
Healthcare facilities are tough places to conserve – we have important regulatory requirements that make us dispose of things we might otherwise want to keep/re-use and we're always trying to meet the comfort needs of staff, patients, and visitors. But all of us can still pitch in:
- Recycle clean bottles, cans, and paper (that doesn't require shredding).
- Our Café composts – be sure to sort your compost accordingly. If you're on our Kirkland campus, you can compost your to-go boxes from Café 128.
- Turn off lights and unplug personal electronics/gadgets when not in use.
- Turn off personal PC monitors when not in use (leave the computers themselves turned on for required updates).
- If you can adjust thermostats in your area, consider doing it a couple of degrees down in the winter and up in the summer.
- EvergreenHealth offers several commuter incentives to reduce single occupancy vehicle trips to campus. Ask your employer if there are any commuter incentives where you work.
We can all do our part.
