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Green news & practices J.M. Electrical Company, Inc. and solar developer 621 Energy have complet- ed a 476 kilowatt solar photovoltaic energy system installation that will power the Massachusetts General Hospital research and parking facility located in Charlestown, Massachusetts. The rooftop PV system was designed by 621 Energy and is expected to generate 568,000 kW hours in its fi rst year of production. This project consists of 1,487 solar panels and 17 solar inverters that will help save the hospital approximately $95,000 annually. In addition to the solar system installation, technicians mounted the solar PV system on the roof using a rack- ing system to account for high winds and building height. Solar Installation Complete at Massachusetts General Hospital LEADERSHIP WANTED Hospitals Urge Action with Release of National Climate and Health Assessment With the release of the U.S. Global Change Research Program's Climate and Health Assessment, the Health Care Climate Council is urging for climate leadership from the health sector. The report, The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States, presents a comprehensive assessment of climate change's profound direct and indirect impact on the health of our individuals and communities. The report also serves as a call to action for healthcare leaders. As a leadership body of health systems representing more than 400 hospitals and 82,000 patient beds, the Health Care Climate Council will continue to reduce its climate impacts, move toward renewable energy sources and lend the healthcare voice to encourage climate action as a way to ensure a healthy future for individuals and communities throughout the United States. For details, visitglobalchange.gov. FORECAST AIA, COTE Report Findings from Sustainable Design Projects In order to examine how the architectural community is evolving in regard to sustainable design practices, the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment undertook an in-depth study of nearly 200 COTE Top Ten Award projects, including healthcare, encompassing almost 20 years. Military Medical Hospital in San Antonio, Texas was among the most recent Top Ten Award winners. The fi ndings have been compiled in a report, Lessons from the Leading Edge, that reviewed a variety of performance measures, including energy ef ciency, water conservation and indoor environmental quality to evaluate how the projects demonstrate COTE's mission to "enhance both the design quality and environmental performance of the built environment." The research represents the most comprehensive study of the COTE Top Ten program to date. Visit aia.org. CONCERN IMPACT EXTREME HEAT Rising temperatures will lead to an increase in heat-related deaths and illnesses. OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY Rising temperatures and wildfi res and decreasing precipitation will lead to increases in ozone and particulate matter, elevating the risks of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses and death. FLOODING Increased coastal and inland fl ooding exposes populations to a range of negative health impacts before, during and after events. VECTOR-BORNE INFECTION (LYME DISEASE) Ticks will show earlier seasonal activity and a generally northward range expansion, increasing risk of human exposure to Lyme disease-causing bacteria. WATER-RELATED INFECTION (VIBRIO VULNIFICUS) Increases in water temperatures will alter timing and location of Vibrio vulnifi cus growth, increasing exposure and risk of water-borne illness. FOOD-RELATED INFECTION (SALMONELLA) Rising temperatures increase Salmonella prevalence in food; longer seasons and warming winters increase risk of exposure and infection. MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING Changes in exposure to climate or weather- related disasters cause or exacerbate stress and mental health consequences, with greater risk for certain populations. 56 Medical Construction & Design | M AY/ J U N E 2016 | MCDM AG.COM