Climate change poses a major threat to global health, with the healthcare sector paradoxically contributing significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Medical education, as a foundational component of healthcare, is itself a source of carbon emissions through energy-intensive infrastructures, travel for clinical rotations, use of educational resources, and waste generation. This commentary examines the carbon footprint of medical education, with particular focus on preclerkship and clerkship phases. Preclerkship activities—such as lectures, laboratory work, small group learning, and digital resource use—rely on energy-intensive facilities and contribute substantially to emissions. Clerkship training involves rotations across hospitals and community clinics, further increasing transportation-related carbon output. Understanding these sources of emissions is essential to implement sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impact of medical education while maintaining training quality. Integrating carbon-conscious strategies into both phases of medical training can prepare future healthcare professionals to address climate change responsibly and sustainably.
Chinedu Olumide Dr. Adebayo (Tue,) studied this question.