Medical Experts Warn That Climate Change Is A Public Health Threat

An international alliance of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals urged world governments to respond to the public health threats posed by climate change with a strong global agreement. This alliance released declarations of a global medical consensus on climate change signed by 1,700 health organizations, 8,200 hospitals and health facilities, and 13 million health professionals at the UN climate conference in Paris earlier this month.

Their declarations call for a "strong, universal and ambitious global climate agreement in which the protection and promotion of health is a central principle."

Carbon pollution exacerbates climate change, contributes to more frequent and more violent extreme weather that costs communities, the federal government, and the American economy billions every year and threatens public health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Clean Power Plan is the greatest single action the U.S. has ever taken to address climate change, and is the centerpiece of America's climate commitment in the Paris negotiations.

America's Clean Power Plan, which sets the first-ever federal limits on dangerous carbon pollution from power plants, addresses the primary cause of climate change and safeguards public health from the effects of breathing dirty air. In 2030, the net public health and climate-related benefits from America's Clean Power Plan are estimated to be worth up to $54 billion every year.

America's Clean Power Plan will also help avoid up to 3,600 premature deaths, lead to 90,000 fewer asthma attacks in children, and prevent 300,000 missed work and school days.

Legislative and legal challenges to America's Clean Power Plan are nothing more than reckless attempts to dismantle critical environmental and public health protections that reduce pollution and prevent thousands of premature deaths each year. While the polluters and their allies are busy crafting legal challenges to America's Clean Power Plan, they have no plan to address climate change or air pollution to protect the Americans who will suffer if the standards are not fully implemented and enforced.

By attacking America's Clean Power Plan and attempting to block an international climate change agreement, polluter allies in Congress are recklessly working to undermine critical environmental and public health protections that reduce pollution and save lives.

Working with vulnerable populations, I know that these folks are much more susceptible to climate change. I urge Ohio leaders to stand up for America's Clean Power Plan and protect future generations, the elderly and all vulnerable populations.

Tiffany Hunt, LSW

North Olmstead Senior Center

Cleveland, Ohio

Tiffany Hunt

Tiffany Hunt, LSW is the Outreach Coordinator and Social Worker at the North Olmsted Senior Center since 2005. As the Outreach Coordinator, Tiffany coordinates the Meals on Wheels program, schedules informational speakers and health screenings, holds biennial health care and housing fairs, and maintains information on local senior living facilities. Tiffany also handles all aspects of social work at the senior center, offering assistance completing applications, understanding Medicare, and interpreting mail or other literature for the seniors. Tiffany also offers information and referral on a wide variety of topics. In 2006, Tiffany began offering Family Caregiver Support Programs through an Older Americans grant with the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging. Tiffany serves on the Hospice of the Western Reserve Advisory Council and is the Recording Secretary for the Southwest Suburban Retired Senior Volunteer Program Advisory Council. In 2008, Tiffany was a recipient of the Carlos A. Maldonado, M.D. Award, honoring excellence in older adult services.

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Volume 12, Issue 1, Posted 6:19 PM, 01.05.2016