The pace of progress moves fast, especially when it comes to sustainability. For
corporate commitments around climate, what was groundbreaking just a few years
ago can be sorely lacking today — as the consensus need for stronger, bolder
action grows.
In 2014, Biogen — a multinational biotechnology and
health company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts — was praised for its
then-industry-leading climate-neutrality
pledge.
Just six years later, the company has gone even further — committing to
completely eliminate the use of fossil fuels by
2040;
to address climate change, but also something that is often given less attention
when it comes to sustainability — human health.
“You can’t believe in human health without thinking about our operational impact
and our impact on the environment,” said Johanna Jobin, Global Head of
Corporate Reputation and Responsibility Strategy at Biogen. “Not all climate
actions we take have a benefit on human health.”
But science, increasingly, shows that reducing emissions from burning fossil
fuels could benefit both the planet and our health in dramatic ways.
“If the world eliminated fossil fuel emissions, global expected life expectancy
could increase by 1.1 years,” Jobin added.
Biogen discussed its $250 million, 20-year commitment and its efforts to link
climate, equity and health at a virtual event on September 30 entitled
“Climate, health and social justice: the links, impacts and potential
solutions”
— the event was hosted by Sustainable Brands™ and featured
participants from the academic, non-profit and business communities.
“Climate change is a huge health issue, and an enormous opportunity to improve
health, particularly for people who are more vulnerable,” Aaron Bernstein —
Director of The Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment at the
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — said during the event.
The figures are staggering. Globally, about nine million deaths a
year
can be directly attributed to air pollution, the vast majority of which comes
from the burning of fossil fuels in industry, automobiles or for power
generation. In the United States, researchers from the University of
Minnesota estimate that 100,000 deaths a year are due to air
pollution
— half of which can be linked to fossil fuels. Death is just one part of the
health picture; as chronic ailments such as asthma, and even developmental
disorders, can be linked to air pollution.
“Children who are exposed to fossil fuels have a lifetime of harm,” Bernstein
said. “Pollution from fossil fuels can damage children, including their minds.”
There’s an obvious social justice component, as well. The reality is that not
all US citizens are impacted by air and water pollution from fossil fuel
production and use in the same ways. Evidence shows that, in the US, low-income
communities and people of color often live closer to highways, power plants, or
industry — and their health suffers. This is no accident.
“We have historical racist practices in housing and loans,” said Kathy
Baughman McLeod, Director of the Adrienne Arsht–Rockefeller Foundation
Resilience Center at the Atlantic Council. “Industrial sites that pollute
are often located next to low-income neighborhoods.”
This connects to another, larger point: While individual action is important;
quite often climate, health and pollution are systemic problems that require
structural change.
“Let’s recognize the severity of the climate and health challenge, and recognize
it as a structural problem,” said Noelle Eckley Selin, Associate Professor
of Technology and Policy at MIT. “Pushing for structural change is one of
the most important things for addressing the magnitude of this problem.”
Taking a health-centric approach has another benefit, too, Bernstein argues: It
allows for better communication and engagement with the public.
“In the US, we have research that shows that climate is politicized; but that in
order to depoliticize it has to be made personal,” he said. “Talking about how
fossil fuels impact health does that, and the best messengers for that are
healthcare providers.”
The hope is that Biogen’s move — and a growing community of business
sustainability leaders linking a healthy climate to human
health
— can accelerate progress on reducing global fossil fuel use, and addressing the
harm already done to communities across the world.
In a year in which rampant, climate-fueled
wildfires
have charred millions of hectares across the western US, Australia and the
Amazon, impacting the health of millions; it is clear that we need to
rapidly and decisively shift away from fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions to save our planet — and ourselves. Here’s to more businesses adding
fuel to that fire.
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Media, Campaign and Research Consultant
Nithin is a freelance writer who focuses on global economic, and environmental issues with an aim at building channels of communication and collaboration around common challenges.
Published Oct 5, 2020 8am EDT / 5am PDT / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST