Going Green with the Whittington
Thursday 10 September saw the Whittington Hospital launch its Carbon Reduction Strategy. The sun shone as the Whittington embraced its commitment to carbon reduction by hosting a day of educational activities and displaying the latest in energy saving technologies.
The NHS currently has an annual carbon footprint of 18 million tonnes of Co2. Under climate change pledges the NHS has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 26 per cent for 2020 and by 80 per cent for 2050. As part of these targets the Whittington needs to reduce its carbon footprint as measured in 2007 by 10 per cent for the year 2015. To do so it will investigate and initiate a variety of carbon cutting techniques, from ordering seasonal food produce for meals served across the hospital to promoting green travel plans for all its staff. There are lots of initiatives to pursue and Thursday gave an insight to some of the many ways these targets can be met and these initiatives brought to life.
Outside the hospital’s main entrance the latest electric car and bicycle models were available for test driving. Electric cars are energy efficient and make perfect pool cars for nurses on call in the local area, a scheme the Whittington is eager to take forward, whilst electric bicycles store energy as you cycle, making Highgate Hill easier whilst recycling the energy we exert.
In the Atrium a series of stands provided information on how we can save energy as individuals and within the workplace. ‘The Oasis Garden Consultation’ service provided information on how we can make effective use of our gardens to be self sustaining and reduce Co2 emissions and plans are being discussed to turn the tennis court next to the Jenner building into an eco garden. Initiatives within the hospital itself include upgrading lighting to the most recent low energy technology, including LED lighting, use of waterless urinals and touchless taps to reduce water consumption. Monitoring and reporting the extent of carbon used through gas and electrical usage will encourage staff to consider where energy can be conserved in their daily activities. A stand explained how working from home just one day a month can help conserve energy.
There were also a selection of green domestic appliances on display, the ‘Eco Kettle’ and Owl electricity energy monitor to help manage and save energy used by smaller but heavy usage appliances that accumulatively waste large amounts of energy. There was an energy quiz and even a ‘how green is your driving?’ simulator, designed to help you get the most from your car by reducing its wear and tear, which makes cars less energy efficient.
With schemes such as ‘Cycle2Job’ actively encouraging participants cycle to work, it was a pleasure to have local MP Jeremy Corbyn visit the hospital to learn more about the carbon reduction strategy and to present the Whittington’s equivalent of the Tour de France’s ‘yellow jersey’ to Tim Jaggard from Finance. Tim won TfL’s London Work Place Cycle Challenge, cycling to and from South London in June 2009.
The evening ended with a sobering warning with the screening of ‘The Age of Stupid’ in N19. ‘The Age of Stupid’ predicts where the world will be, ecologically, in 50 years time and has Peter Posthelwaite as journalist trying to fathom out how we got there, asserting the serious message at the core of the days fun activities. If you would like to find out more as to how you can help with the Whittington’s carbon reduction strategy, please e-mail whh-tr.Carbon-Reduction@nhs.net and someone from the Carbon Team will get back to you.
The Facilities Directorate would like to thank all those involved in making the day a huge success.
The following people won our carbon quiz, receiving carbon cutting prizes:
Peni Morgan: Won an O.W.L monitor that measure energy usage throughout the house to help reduce carbon usage.
Alison McCamley: Won a Powersaver device that automatically turns of appliances and lights not in use.
Mrs D Farthing: Won a Powersaver.
Modupeola Famuyiwa: Won an Eco Kettle.
Karen Partridge: Won an Eco Kettle.
Mandy Whittaker: Won a composter.
Chris Giles: Won a composter.
Omotunde Famuyiwa: Won a gym membership pass.