M12.9 Blog: Climate Change
1) What do you personally find most troubling about climate change?
Climate change is real, and it is a huge problem. Personally, what I find extremely troublesome is the fact that greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to increase, and we aren't doing as much as we can to stop that. It took so long for everyone - all countries - to get on board and recognize climate change as a real problem. This has led to multiple issues that only continue to grow if we do not take action. While it may not be possible to completely stop the effects of global warming, it is possible to reduce them. What is even more worrisome is that if we do not extensively work together and fight this issue, then there will be no solution in the future. More and more countries have recognized that in order to reduce climate change and adapt to current changes in climate and health as a result, interventions must occur now. As noted in the multiple resources provided for this module, one of the most concerning effects of climate change includes the rise of the oceans. This will in turn cause major cities, all over the world, to go underwater, which will then cause even more issues. It's necessary to try our best to slow this process as much as possible, as it cannot be stopped. Governments and organizations can spend massive amounts of money trying to prepare for rising water levels, but there are no ways to truly prevent this except to try and tackle the problem now by being conscious of what we do today. The more we ignore the problem, the faster we place ourselves underwater.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the same opinion. It must be a global effort, and if we cannot work together then we will face substantially more problems in the future trying to mitigate adverse effects that could have been prevented, or lessened.
2) As a public health professional, what do you think needs the greatest attention right now?
The primary source of global warming is the large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. By targeting this source, we can greatly reduce and slow the rises in temperature. Climate change results in multiple issues from physical and mental health problems, increased water-borne and vector-borne illnesses, extreme weather conditions, increased air pollution, and threatened food security. Because carbon dioxide accounts for about 80% of greenhouse gas emissions, countries and communities should work to reduce their carbon footprint. This can be done by incorporating clean, renewable energy sources, reducing driving and flying transportation and implementing more public transit, consuming a more sustainable diet and less meat, changing agricultural and manufactural processes, and limiting deforestation. As a public health professional, I believe in prevention; therefore, mitigation techniques such as the ones listed above seem more effective to me than adapting to the changes.
3) If you were visiting with a long-lost relative who had never heard about climate change, how would you describe it and its attendant human health and ecological threats?
If I were to explain climate change to a long-lost relative who had never heard of it before, I would break it down into simple language. Climate change is a huge issue and sometimes the scientific wording from studies and research may be overwhelming. I would tell them that our world made great advances in technology, transportation, industry, agriculture, etc. but in the process neglected the planet. Now, we have emitted something called greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and these gases trap heat, causing climate change. I would also mention the multiple effects of climate change such as rising water levels threatening our cities, an increase in health issues such as more asthma and heat-related deaths as well as more water-borne and vector-borne illnesses. I would let them know that everyone is at risk for extreme weather conditions, and these vary on the place you live. I would emphasize that this is a global issue that involves human health as well as the environment.
Climate change is real, and it is a huge problem. Personally, what I find extremely troublesome is the fact that greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to increase, and we aren't doing as much as we can to stop that. It took so long for everyone - all countries - to get on board and recognize climate change as a real problem. This has led to multiple issues that only continue to grow if we do not take action. While it may not be possible to completely stop the effects of global warming, it is possible to reduce them. What is even more worrisome is that if we do not extensively work together and fight this issue, then there will be no solution in the future. More and more countries have recognized that in order to reduce climate change and adapt to current changes in climate and health as a result, interventions must occur now. As noted in the multiple resources provided for this module, one of the most concerning effects of climate change includes the rise of the oceans. This will in turn cause major cities, all over the world, to go underwater, which will then cause even more issues. It's necessary to try our best to slow this process as much as possible, as it cannot be stopped. Governments and organizations can spend massive amounts of money trying to prepare for rising water levels, but there are no ways to truly prevent this except to try and tackle the problem now by being conscious of what we do today. The more we ignore the problem, the faster we place ourselves underwater.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the same opinion. It must be a global effort, and if we cannot work together then we will face substantially more problems in the future trying to mitigate adverse effects that could have been prevented, or lessened.
2) As a public health professional, what do you think needs the greatest attention right now?
The primary source of global warming is the large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. By targeting this source, we can greatly reduce and slow the rises in temperature. Climate change results in multiple issues from physical and mental health problems, increased water-borne and vector-borne illnesses, extreme weather conditions, increased air pollution, and threatened food security. Because carbon dioxide accounts for about 80% of greenhouse gas emissions, countries and communities should work to reduce their carbon footprint. This can be done by incorporating clean, renewable energy sources, reducing driving and flying transportation and implementing more public transit, consuming a more sustainable diet and less meat, changing agricultural and manufactural processes, and limiting deforestation. As a public health professional, I believe in prevention; therefore, mitigation techniques such as the ones listed above seem more effective to me than adapting to the changes.
3) If you were visiting with a long-lost relative who had never heard about climate change, how would you describe it and its attendant human health and ecological threats?
If I were to explain climate change to a long-lost relative who had never heard of it before, I would break it down into simple language. Climate change is a huge issue and sometimes the scientific wording from studies and research may be overwhelming. I would tell them that our world made great advances in technology, transportation, industry, agriculture, etc. but in the process neglected the planet. Now, we have emitted something called greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and these gases trap heat, causing climate change. I would also mention the multiple effects of climate change such as rising water levels threatening our cities, an increase in health issues such as more asthma and heat-related deaths as well as more water-borne and vector-borne illnesses. I would let them know that everyone is at risk for extreme weather conditions, and these vary on the place you live. I would emphasize that this is a global issue that involves human health as well as the environment.
Hi Loren,
ReplyDeleteI think when we explain climate change to anyone, simple language is necessary. When scientific words are used, mos times they are ignored or poorly understood. Thus the points made just fly over the person. It is troubling that green house gases are increasing as we have so much knowledge on the effects of them.
-Ashley