Efficiency in the News
My Green Lab & I2SL create the Million Advocates for Sustainable Science Campaign
Together, My Green Lab and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) have created the Million Advocates for Sustainable Science Letter campaign. This campaign has the goal of issuing a challenge to science funders to encourage sustainability in research. Scientists and sustainability advocates are invited to help push for change by joining the campaign by signing the pledge. By signing this letter, you can help transform the way science funding organizations set expectations for efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability in the way scientific research is conducted.
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services releases 2021 Climate Action Plan
This Climate Action Plan (CAP) represents a "concerted effort to enhance resilience and adaptation to climate change throughout the activities of HHS." Priority Action #3: Develop Climate-Resilient Grant Policies at HHS is particularly pertinent to the efforts of BETR Grants as it recommends to "develop language across the range of HHS grant-making programs and funding announcements to advance federal sustainability and climate resilience goals."
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services establishes the Office of Climate Change & Health Equity
Announced in August of 2021, the purpose of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity is to address the impact of climate change on the health of the American people by focusing on reducing emissions and environmental justice. The Office will work alongside community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, academia, business, industry, along with, state, tribal, local, and territorial governments with specific emphasis on matters affecting disadvantaged communities and those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
The Office of Climate Change and Health Equity has set forth several priorities including “Assisting with regulatory efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and criteria air pollution throughout the health care sector, including participating suppliers and providers.”
According to this article in The Hill, while announcing the new office, “Rachel Levine, assistant secretary of health, cited the health care sector contributing about 8.5 percent of the U.S.’s total emissions. She said lowering this figure was “critical” to President Biden’s overall agenda of reducing the country’s emission levels. ”
Watch Announcement
The Office of Climate Change and Health Equity has set forth several priorities including “Assisting with regulatory efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and criteria air pollution throughout the health care sector, including participating suppliers and providers.”
According to this article in The Hill, while announcing the new office, “Rachel Levine, assistant secretary of health, cited the health care sector contributing about 8.5 percent of the U.S.’s total emissions. She said lowering this figure was “critical” to President Biden’s overall agenda of reducing the country’s emission levels. ”
Watch Announcement
Webcast: how to green your lab
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This webcast is for scientists at all levels and draws upon the expertise of speakers to help researchers make their labs greener to generate less waste and a better environmental impact. Check out 12:31 - 22:47 to hear how BETR grants plays into the conversation.
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Biden administration launches new office focused on climate change and health
Health and Human Services (HHS) in US federal government last week created the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity. One of the office priorities “Assisting with regulatory efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and criteria air pollution throughout the health care sector, including participating suppliers and providers." According to this article, in announcing the new office, “Rachel Levine, assistant secretary of health, cited the health care sector contributing about 8.5 percent of the U.S.’s total emissions. She said lowering this figure was “critical” to President Biden’s overall agenda of reducing the country’s emission levels. She confirmed during a question that the new office is already in touch with some hospital systems to begin implementing changes to reduce carbon emissions.”
UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy
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UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has launched its first environmental sustainability strategy, setting out its ambition to achieve ‘net-zero’ by 2040.
The strategy sets out the organisation’s priorities to lead the way in environmental sustainability across the research and innovation sector, following the UK government’s commitment to end the country’s contribution to global warming by 2050. |
Sustainable Lab Buildings
After a decade of grassroots growth, the laboratory sustainability movement is bursting into the mainstream. This article explores various laboratory settings that have implemented innovative, efficiency measures to minimize their footprint.
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Sustainable chemistry legislation enacted by US Congress
Federal law will promote green chemistry concepts in federal grants. A newly introduced law encourages federal agencies to incorporate green chemistry requirements into grants they offer to academic researchers.
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A prescription for National Institutes of Health leadership on climate change
The NIH is already poised to be at the pinnacle of the multiple interdisciplinary governmental agencies working at the intersection of climate change and health and to lead the way to action. This report details how NIH can further position itself as a leader in climate change action, citing BETR Grants as a framework to do so.
Connections between laboratory research and climate change: what scientists and policy makers can do to reduce environmental impacts
Scientific research, with its myriad disciplines, global reach, and massive economic impact, moves society forward by illuminating new understandings of our planet, its organisms, and the human condition.
This report looks at the ways in which scientists themselves can and should lead on motivating policy change.
This report looks at the ways in which scientists themselves can and should lead on motivating policy change.
The NIH Has Sustainability Goals and Considers Efficiency to Be An Important Part of Grant Applications
Advances in biomedical research contribute to human health, and are of inestimable value! At the same time, biomedical research is not an inexpensive endeavor. The competition for science funding is fiercer than ever. With green lab initiatives, scientists can boost the impact of their grant dollars, while maximizing their chances to receive awards.
This article discusses the ways in which NIH is leading by example with internal sustainability and has communicated its commitment to encouraging sustainability to NIH grant recipients. |
Hospitals race to save patients — and the planet
Hospitals and labs emit 4.4% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and are responsible for more than 5 million tons of waste each year. Here’s what academic medicine is doing to reduce its carbon footprint.
These numbers come from a September 2019 report titled Health Care’s Climate Footprint from Arup and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), an international organization that’s working to make health care ecologically sustainable.
These numbers come from a September 2019 report titled Health Care’s Climate Footprint from Arup and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), an international organization that’s working to make health care ecologically sustainable.
2019: A Big Year for Reducing Building Emissions in NYC
This article explores NYC's efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas footprint with the adoption of its landmark building decarbonization law.
Local Law 97, enacted on May 19, 2019, as part of the City’s Climate Mobilization Act, builds upon the Big Apple’s already impressive and extensive history of reducing energy consumption in buildings and tackling the emissions that cause climate change. Not only will the law result in significant local benefits, but it also lays the groundwork for similarly ambitious actions to address the biggest environmental challenge of our time in other cities around the country.
Local Law 97, enacted on May 19, 2019, as part of the City’s Climate Mobilization Act, builds upon the Big Apple’s already impressive and extensive history of reducing energy consumption in buildings and tackling the emissions that cause climate change. Not only will the law result in significant local benefits, but it also lays the groundwork for similarly ambitious actions to address the biggest environmental challenge of our time in other cities around the country.
NIH Explores New Ways to Stretch Research Funds
In early May 2017, the NIH announced that it plans to explore new approaches that maximize support of biomedical research, especially in support of young investigators. With the NIH budget remaining relatively flat since 2003, the NIH is finding ways to do more with less. We believe BETR Grants is one solution to this complex problem.
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BETR Grants at the DOE Better Buildings Summit
On May 16th, 2017 Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar (CU Boulder) and Daniel Robinson (DOE) will give a presentation at the DOE Better Buildings Summit on BETR Grants and the Smart Labs Accelerator Program. This year marks the third year that the topic of lab sustainability and efficiency has been featured at the DOE Better Buildings Summit.
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AASHE Hosts Webinar on BETR Grants
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) hosted a webinar with I2SL and the Department of Energy on BETR Grants and the Smart Lab Accelerator Program. A recording of the webinar is available.
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