Climate Change & Planetary Health e-Learning Now Available

Climate‑Resilient Island Health is a new four‑part e‑learning series on Learning Hub designed to help staff make sense of these changes and understand how their work connects to Island Health's response. The series explo​res how climate change affects health and care delivery locally, and how each of us can contribute to a more sustainable, resilient health system that upholds its responsibility to planetary health.

The curriculum is optional and applicable to all staff and medical staff, across both clinical and non‑clinical roles.

Take the Climate-Resilient Island Health course

Register for the four-part curriculum on Learning Hub here.

Or access the individual courses:

• Part 1: Introduction to Climate Change and Health (45 min)
• Part 2: Reducing our Environmental Impact (45 min)
• Part 3: Adapting to a Changing Climate (45 min)
• Part 4: Preparing for Climate Emergencies (45 min)

Why take the course?

You may have noticed that sustainability and planetary health are showing up more often across Island Health and the world around us. That's because the direction is clear: our health is deeply linked to the health of our planet, and climate change is one of the biggest health challenges of our time.

In B.C. alone, record-breaking heat waves, wildfires, and floods are already harming our health and well-being. Scientists expect these impacts to worsen. At the same time, our own health care operations contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts on our local communities. Like all sectors, health care must be part of the solution.

In 2023, we asked staff about their climate concerns in an organization-wide survey. Over 90% said they were worried about climate change, and most felt Island Health should do more. We heard you. Island Health's Climate Change and Planetary Health Strategy, endorsed by the Executive Leadership Team and Board and launched in September 2024, is how we are moving forward. This course is one part of putting that strategy into action.

Many of us working in health care are asking the same questions: What does environmental sustainability actually mean for my work? Where do I start? And how can I contribute in a way that feels meaningful?

The Climate‑Resilient Island Health course helps answer these questions. It provides a foundation in climate change and health, explains the “why" behind organizational priorities, and brings the topic to life through real‑world examples and stories from Island Health staff. Most importantly, it highlights practical, role‑appropriate pathways for taking climate action within our organization.

Participating now means being informed and connected to one of Island Health's key outcome goals while contributing in realistic ways that respect your time, expertise, and capacity.
 

Register for the Climate-Resilient Island Health curriculum on Learning Hub today.