Green Practice News: Summer 2025

• Sustainability Solutions For Your Medical Office That Work
• My Green Doctor’s Summer Travel Guide
• The Experts Speak: Sustainability Podcast Episode with Dr. Todd Sack

Your Practice, the Planet, and Our Patients: The AMA and MGD Put Sustainability Within Reach

As the health effects of climate change escalate—from record heat waves to rising rates of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and mental health distress—healthcare managers and clinicians are being called to lead. The American Medical Association (AMA) has declared climate change a public health crisis and is mobilizing physicians, practices, and medical institutions to respond.

AMA has repeatedly recognized the My Green Doctor resource as  a useful resource for creating environmentally sustainable and climate resilient practices. MGD offers many free, practical tools to help clinics become greener, healthier, and more cost-efficient. In addition, MGD offers customized support for practice managers, administrators, and clinicians.

The Climate Crisis Is a Health Crisis
The U.S. healthcare system accounts for nearly 10% of national toxic air pollutions and greenhouse gas emissions. That means the way we operate our clinics—our electricity usage, supplies, food services, and waste management—has a direct impact on the health of our communities. The AMA’s climate strategy  that was announced in November 2024 aims to turn this around through four pillars:

1. Educating physicians and trainees on climate-related health impacts
2. Supporting clinic decarbonization and resilience efforts
3. Elevating physician leadership on climate and health
4. Partnering with allies like My Green Doctor to expand tools and implementation

MGD: Making Climate Action Easy for Healthcare Teams
As an AMA-recommended resource, My Green Doctor provides free, step-by-step guidance for outpatient offices of any size. Whether you’re in a primary care clinic, specialty practice, or community health center, the MGD practice management program helps your team make progress with just five minutes per monthly staff meeting.

You’ll learn how to:

• Lower your utility bills and reduce waste
• Improve indoor air quality and patient comfort
• Reduce exposure to toxic materials
• Switch to healthier food, water, and cleaning options
• Earn the Green Practice Recognition Certificate that demonstrates your commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

Practice managers and clinicians can access these resources directly through AMA Ed Hub™ and the AMA climate action webpage. You’ll also find continuing medical education (CME) offerings, webinars featuring MGD founder Dr. Todd Sack, and the Lower Costs by Going Green! guide, co-produced by My Green Doctor and the AMA.

What’s In It for Your Practice?
Sustainability isn’t just about protecting the environment—it is also good business. Clinics that implement green policies often see cost savings, improved staff morale, stronger community reputation, and perhaps better patient outcomes.

Many of your patients care about climate change. Many are looking for providers who reflect their values. My Green Doctor gives you the tools to meet this moment with confidence, credibility, and care.

A National Movement, A Local Commitment
Together, MGD and the AMA are helping thousands of outpatient practices across the country reduce emissions and prepare for the health risks ahead. Healthcare can lead the way in building a safer, more resilient future.

Have a conversation with My Green Doctor: [email protected]

For more details:
AMA Climate Advocacy Resources

Summer is the season for travel—family reunions, beach trips, overseas adventures, and that long-awaited time away from work. But with every trip, we make choices that affect the environment. Planes, cars, and cruise ships contribute to a growing share of global emissions—especially during the peak travel season.

Healthcare professionals and clinic administrators care deeply about healthy people and a healthy planet. This Summer Travel Guide helps you, your colleagues, and your patients make more sustainable travel choices without compromising on joy, rest, or adventure.

Why Travel Matters in the Climate Conversation

Transportation accounts for about one-fifth of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to Our World in Data. Within that, air travel contributes around 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions, and it’s one of the fastest-growing sources due to the increasing frequency and distance of flights.
The good news? Small changes can add up to significant impact—especially when modeled and encouraged by healthcare leaders who influence both peers and patients.

✈️ Sustainable Swaps for Greener Getaways

Here are seven realistic, planet-friendly ways to reduce your carbon footprint this summer:
1. Fly less—and stay longer.
When possible, avoid short-haul flights and opt for fewer and longer trips. This not only reduces your emissions but also gives you more meaningful rest.
2. Choose trains or carpool.
Trains emit up to 90% less CO₂ per mile than airplanes. Apps like Uber, Lyft, BlaBlaCar, and Zipcar offer ride sharing and reduce fuel use.
3. Pack lighter.
Less weight equals less fuel burned. Airlines use more energy for heavier cargo, so every pound counts.
4. Bring reusables.
Carry a refillable water bottle, reusable utensils, cloth napkins, and tote bags. This minimizes plastic waste at airports and destinations.
5. Support green-certified accommodations.
Look for hotels with Green Key, LEED, or EarthCheck certification. Many hotels also support local sustainability and health initiatives.
6. Offset what you can’t reduce.
For unavoidable flights or travel-related emissions, carbon offsetting can be an effective tool—when done right.
7. Stay Close to Home: Choose a vacation destination close to home or even a “staycation” to explore and enjoy what is nearby.

Understanding Carbon Offsets: What Works, What Doesn’t
Carbon offsetting allows travelers and organizations to support projects that reduce or remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. Examples are reforestation, renewable energy development, or clean cooking stoves in developing countries, and community education initiatives.

However, some offset programs are not very effective. Here are two organizations that My Green Doctor recommends with a strong track record of integrity and impact:

✅ Gold Standard
Founded in 2003 by WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and other global non-governmental organizations, Gold Standard is considered one of the most rigorous and credible carbon offset certifiers in the world that:

• Is used by major institutions like Microsoft, IKEA, and Intrepid Travel
• Requires all projects to support Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., clean energy, public health)
• Maintains a transparent registry of verified emissions reductions
• Has funded projects that together have reduced over 200 million tons of CO₂

Visit goldstandard.org

✅ Cool Effect
A U.S.-based nonprofit, Cool Effect makes offsetting accessible for individuals and small organizations. Cool Effect:

• Accepts only 1 in 400 projects after scientific vetting
• Sends over 90% of funds directly to projects
• Projects have eliminated more than 1 million tons of  atmospheric CO₂
• Offers a user-friendly platform and detailed transparency reports

Visit cooleffect.org

For Clinics and Practice Managers
Make green travel part of your patient education strategy and office culture:

• Share these travel tips in your summer newsletter or waiting room displays
• Promote train or bike commuting options for staff
• Encourage vacation planning that prioritizes fewer and longer trips
• Add a travel carbon offset donation option to company retreats or educational events

This summer, let’s rest, recharge, and protect the planet—all at once. Together, we can build healthier habits for ourselves, our patients, and future generations.

In a new podcast interview that includes three experts, Dr. Todd Sack speaks to the need for individuals, families, and businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas footprints. Sack offers real and specific ideas on what we can each do, green ideas that can save us money.  Click above to listen to a three minute summary of the podcase or click below to hear the entire seventeen minute conversation.

The Experts Speak – A Free Podcast Series
From The Florida Psychiatric Society and hosted by Abbey Strauss, M.S.W., M.D.
(Opinions are not necessarily those of the Florida Psychiatric Society or the Palm Beach County Medical Society.)