In developed economies, healthcare activities emit an enormous amount of greenhouse gases, according to an article on the Fortune website.
If U.S. healthcare were a country, it would be the thirteenth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. U.S. healthcare is also responsible for 9 percent of the country’s air pollution, 12 percent of acid rain emissions, and 10 percent of smog-forming emissions.
Hospitals can cut down on their greenhouse gases and other emissions. Gundersen Health System, a Wisconsin-based non-profit, implemented a large scale energy plan, including geothermal wells, methane capture from landfills and cow manure, wind power, solar hot water and an onsite biomass boiler.
The hospital has saved $20.3 million since 2008. Their energy cost in 2018 was $1.98 per square foot versus $2.60 per square foot in 2008. This was despite having approximately 30 percent higher electricity prices compared to its 2008 baseline.
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