![]() In 2015, the continental US experienced its second-warmest year on record, with the average temperature 2.4F above the twentieth century average. Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels not only pollute our air directly they also drive climate change, which can indirectly affect the quality of our air. Climate change and air pollution can aggravate asthma and allergies. Just as Pope Francis has said, “The deterioration of the environment and society affect the most vulnerable people on the planet.” 2. It’s also important to note that lower-income communities, children, the elderly, and some communities of color are disproportionately affected by extreme weather. The report is also one of the first of its kind to study how climate change impacts mental health, noting that people “exposed to climate- or weather-related natural disasters experience stress reactions and serious mental health consequences, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressions, and general anxiety.” Furthermore, if public infrastructure – like communication systems or emergency response services – is damaged during an extreme event, access to lifesaving care is jeopardized. Climate change is expected to cause more frequent and intense extreme weather events.Įxtreme weather events – like floods, wildfires, and drought – can be terrifying, but what do they have to do with public health? These events can (of course – and unfortunately) have fatal consequences, but they can also lead to food and waterborne illnesses after the fact. So with some help from our friends at Climate Nexus and the American Public Health Association, here are four key findings from the assessment illustrated in infographics. But like many scientific reports, it can get a little dense. The new report (which is the product of three years of research by 13 federal agencies) emphasizes that climate change will continue to exacerbate existing threats to health as well as give rise to new ones. ![]() But the Climate and Health Assessment connects the dots between climate change and its consequences for American public health more clearly than ever before. Vivek Murphy said, “The changes are happening right now… Climate change is going to impact health, and it’s not a pretty picture.” The White House released a groundbreaking new scientific assessment on the impact of climate change on public health in the United States. Originally published on Climate Reality Project.
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