ABOUT US
FINDING INSPIRATION IN EVERY TURN
At RISE Climate + Health, we help clients bring bold sustainability and climate-health goals to life—grounded in the principles of planetary health.
We partner with healthcare systems, executives, and policy leaders to build solutions that aren’t just climate-aware, but systems-smart: rooted in science, aligned with values, and structured for real impact.
Because the health of people depends on the health of the planet—and we believe healthcare should lead in protecting both.
WHAT IS PLANETARY HEALTH
Planetary health is an emerging field and urgent call to action. It highlights the reality that human health is inseparable from the health of our natural systems—and that solving today’s health challenges means addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation at their root.
It’s not just about emissions.
It’s about equity, resilience, economic risk, and the future of care itself.
RISE uses this lens to help healthcare leaders move from short-term solutions to long-term strategy—aligning their mission with environmental stewardship, public health outcomes, and operational sustainability.
We also translate planetary health into familiar terms for organizations that may still frame their work through ESG, sustainability, or climate resilience. No matter where you're starting, we help you lead with purpose and clarity.
Our approach draws on Indigenous knowledge systems, global science, and international frameworks—most notably the São Paulo Declaration on Planetary Health.
ADVANCING THE
SÃO PAULO DECLARATION
IN PRACTICE
The São Paulo Declaration on Planetary Health, launched in 2021, is a global call for every sector to respond to environmental breakdown with urgency, equity, and collective action
In healthcare, the declaration outlines five core imperatives:
REDESIGN CARE
to be regenerative, low-carbon, and resilient.
DECARBONIZE OPERATIONS
and supply chains in line with climate science.
EDUCATE & EMPOWER
health professionals to lead sustainability efforts.
CENTER EQUITY
justice, and protection for vulnerable communities.
COLLABORATE
ACROSS SECTORS
to address the root causes of ecological harm.
Healthcare is already on the frontlines of climate change: Asthma, heat stress, infectious disease, mental health, food insecurity—the impacts are here.
At the same time, U.S. healthcare contributes 8.5% of national greenhouse gas emissions and wields billions in purchasing power, workforce development, and policy influence.
The opportunity? Lead transformation from the inside out.
The risk of inaction? Rising operating costs, supply chain instability, and reputational harm.
Planetary health-aligned systems:
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Reduce long-term financial risk
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Attract and retain values-driven talent
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Increase institutional resilience
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Improve community trust and patient outcomes
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Open doors to new funding and recognition
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Align with federal, state, and ESG goals
WHY IT MATTERS FOR HEALTHCARE NOW
Image Credit: Maria Koijck
HOW WE HELP YOU PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
At RISE, we help you move from vision to implementation. Our services include:
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Conducting greenhouse gas inventories and sustainability assessments
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Designing and facilitating climate-health trainings and executive workshops
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Supporting strategy development and leadership alignment
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Building climate-smart governance, communication, and reporting structures
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Convening multi-sector partnerships and learning collaboratives
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Coaching leadership teams on culture change and systems integration
Whether you’re just getting started or scaling an ambitious initiative, we help you embed planetary health principles in ways that are measurable, manageable, and meaningful.
LET’S BUILD A PLANETARY HEALTH-ALIGNED SYSTEM, TOGETHER
A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER
On leading climate action through care, collaboration, and planetary health.
Hi, I’m Dr. Jo Bjorgaard (she/her), Founder of RISE Climate + Health Collective.
I launched RISE because I believe that the health of people, communities, and the planet are inseparable—and that climate leadership must be bold, cross-sector, and grounded in care.
I come to this work as a nurse, a systems strategist, and a leader who’s driven sustainability and decarbonization initiatives from the inside. I’ve developed greenhouse gas inventories, built and led sustainability committees, coached C-suite leaders through culture change, and helped shape statewide climate and health policy. I’ve also trained and spoken to national and international audiences, designed climate-health education programs, and served in leadership roles for organizations advancing planetary health around the world.
As a registered nurse with a Doctorate in Health Innovation and Leadership and formal training in planetary health, I bring a rare perspective to this work—blending strategic expertise, operational leadership, and a deep commitment to equity and systems change. I’m also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and have served in roles such as:
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Founding Operations Director of the Planetary Health Alliance’s North American Hub
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Regional Lead for the National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Decarbonizing the U.S. Healthcare Sector
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Chair of the Climate Smart Healthcare Committee and Executive Board Member of Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate
RISE is built on the belief that real change requires more than just good ideas—it takes leadership, structure, strategy, and a deep understanding of systems. Through RISE, I partner with teams and organizations across healthcare, public policy, philanthropy, and beyond to embed planetary health into how we operate, collaborate, and lead.
Our mission is to help clients move from climate intention to climate action—in ways that are measurable, mission-aligned, and built to last.
If that sounds like the kind of work you're ready to do, I’d love to connect.
— Jo
