COMMUNITY CLIMATE CAMPAIGN
Climate change may be the biggest public health issue facing Oregon and the world. One estimate is that if every person in the United States replaced one traditional incandescent bulb with a LED, it would be the equivalent of taking one million cars off the road. Fanno Creek Clinic Medical Director Gregg Coodley M.D. stated,” We view climate change as a critical public health threat that the medical community needs to address.”
In 2007, Fanno Creek Clinic led 62 other local businesses in giving out 7000 free compact fluorescent light bulbs to reduce energy use. According to Energy Star, this saved 2.7 million kwh of electricity and prevented the release of 4.2 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to planting 500 acres of trees.
And in 2019, Fanno Creek Clinic again joined with local businesses to donate LED bulbs to patients, staff, and the SW Portland Community. LED can reduce energy use by 80% compared to conventional bulbs since a far greater percentage of the energy output is as light rather than heat.
SAVING ENERGY – FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE
Steps your household can take to save energy, money and fight climate change:
- Use energy efficient light bulbs
- Buy energy efficient appliances (Energy Star)
- Unplug your electronics when not in use – up to 25% of home energy consumption is spent on idle devices; shut off the ice maker in the refrigerator when not in use
- Wash clothes in warm or ideally cold water
- Install programmable thermostats
- Consider getting a home energy audit and installing insulation
- Reduce gas use by making sure tires are well inflated; avoid unnecessary acceleration; reduce excess weight from your vehicle
- Look for a fuel efficient vehicle if getting a new car
- Walk, bike, take public transit or carpool when possible
- Use reusable bags at the market and reusable water bottles –avoid single use plastic bags/bottles
- Reduce food waste
- Buy local and seasonal food when possible; support local businesses in your area
- Clean and replace your HVAC filters
- Plant trees
- Talk to friends and family about steps such as these
For more information and ways you can help:
Women’s Healthcare at FCC
- Screening mammography
- Annual women’s health exams
- Perimenopause and Menopause transition management, and more..
Visit our Specialists page to learn more about our newest women’s health provider, Jessica Benedict, WHNP