Should Health have a climate network? Yes, says state-appointed forensic pathologist

Lene Warner Thorup Boel is a professor at the Department of Forensic Medicine. She is a medical specialist and due to her role of state-appointed forensic pathologist, she is also head of section and a member of the department management team. Besides all this, she has a special interest in the climate.

"I do a lot to live a climate friendly life, and I’m glad the university also focusses on the climate. There’s an overall climate strategy, but I think it's important that individual employees at the departments also have the opportunity to engage. The green transition is so important, and I want to do more," she says.

A strong and broad-based climate network

The climate strategy is an important focus area for the entire university, and the management team is introducing local initiatives at the departments, including here at Health. However, according to Lene Warner Thorup Boel, when climate action is managed centrally, as an employee, it sometimes feels as if all you can do is wait for others to act.

"Many of the action areas in the climate strategy rely on changes to buildings, heating systems, etc. by the technical department. It's good that initiatives have been planned in these areas, as they should lead to a significant percentage of climate gain. Of course, there are things we as employees can do ourselves, but for the most part I feel that we’re in a waiting position at department level. I believe that many - like myself - miss a platform where as an employee one can be allowed to contribute to the green transition. That is why I’m proposing a climate network," says Lene Warner Thorup Boel.

More specifically, the state-appointed forensic pathologist wants a forum where employees with a special interest in, or knowledge about, the climate area can meet and exchange ideas and experience. Among other things, based on one's own everyday life.

"This is an example of a concrete issue. Our phones and computers generally become outdated relatively quickly or need to be replaced for security reasons, which results in a large additional consumption and environmental impact. I hope that this is something we can address together in a climate network," she says.

What does it take?

Lene Warner Thorup Boel is certain there are many people at the faculty who, like her, are passionate about the green transition. In Inside Health, we have previously written about Professor Kari Tanderup's efforts to cut down on air travel, and we have more climate stories in store.

"It’d be so great if we had a network for people who are passionate about this cause. Of course, most people want to make AU greener. But some of us just feel there’s so much more we can do, and that our knowledge and resources aren’t being sufficiently exploited. That's why we need this network," she says.

But what does it take to establish a climate network at Health?

"I think it would be a good idea to create a platform for those, who will have a particular interest in the field, from both a personal, societal as well as from a research perspective. I really think it's important that we get together and try to do something at a more local and employee-oriented level," says Lene Warner Thorup Boel and continues:

"But this requires that the faculty management team act and that they commit to establishing a climate network. AU has already acted, and many good initiatives are underway, such as energy savings. "But I believe that there is an opportunity to do more."

Dean Anne-Mette Hvas agrees that establishing a climate network can be a good way to engage and make more use of employees passionate about the climate.

"The faculty management team is deeply committed to efforts to promote the green transition, and many new initiatives have been launched at departmental level, but we definitely need to do more to involve and support employees locally.  I share Lene Warner Thorup Boel's view that establishing a strong climate network could be a good idea. By creating a forum where committed employees can exchange ideas and experience, we might even inspire sustainable solutions across the entire university. I welcome the idea and I will bring it up with the faculty management team," says Anne-Mette Hvas.

Contact

Professor and State-Appointed Forensic Pathologist Lene Warner Thorup Boel
Aarhus University, Department of Forensic Medicine
Telephone: + 45 87 16 83 01
Mail: lwb@forens.au.dk