{"id":14334,"date":"2020-07-01T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-01T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=14334"},"modified":"2020-06-30T16:47:20","modified_gmt":"2020-06-30T20:47:20","slug":"climate-action-benefits-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/climate-action-benefits-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate Action Benefits our Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We can see climate change\u2019s impacts on the health of our world all around us, right here in Massachusetts. Our friends, families, and neighbors have to adapt (just like wildlife and plants) to new and heightened threats \u2013 and one of those is a threat to public health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Climate change’s warming temperatures influence the spread of disease bearing insects, like the Deer Tick, Ixodes scapularis. Photo \u00a9<\/em> Scott Bauer, USDA\/Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Warm, Warmer, Too Hot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Warming temperatures bring with them a rise in extreme heat events, which are linked to an increase in hospital admissions<\/a> for cardiovascular, kidney, and respiratory disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cities are hit especially hard<\/a> by extreme heat. Urban areas experience a phenomenon known as \u201curban heat islands\u201d: when specific parts of cities face significantly higher temperatures than their suburban or rural counterparts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This heat difference arises because of how well each environment absorbs and holds heat. Suburban or rural areas have abundant plants, grass, trees, and other flora \u2013 tools that NASA<\/a> calls \u201cnature\u2019s air conditioner.\u201d Cities, on the other hand, don\u2019t contain as much flora. Dark asphalt, sidewalks, and buildings that comprise our cities aggravate this problem by actually generating more heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Uptick in Disease-Bearing Ticks (and Others)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Warming temperatures also influence the spread of disease bearing insects. Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Zika virus are all occurring more frequently in the US and are all carried by<\/a> insects like ticks and mosquitoes. As Massachusetts, warms, these diseases are surviving in and spreading to areas they weren\u2019t able to before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the Sneezon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Climate change makes springs and summers longer, increasing Massachusetts\u2019 growing season and consequently how long plants produce pollen. Both these byproducts intensify allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergies are only one part of the problem. Burning fossil fuels creates excess greenhouse gasses and <\/em>pollution, like particle matter (PM), that lowers air quality. Such pollution is directly linked<\/a> to the development of asthma in young children and worsening asthma symptoms in those already dealing with the illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Equity in Public Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Climate change\u2019s disparate impacts are nothing new, and are deeply rooted in history. The very sources that have pumped greenhouse gasses into our atmosphere for years have been overwhelmingly sited near communities of color<\/a>, especially Black communities. Additionally, urban heat islands tend to map onto almost the exact same locations<\/a> Black communities were forced into in the 1930s through the formal practice of \u201credlining<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no coincidence, then, that marginalized populations bear the brunt of climate change\u2019s public health effects. According to a 2018 study<\/a>, communities in poverty faced 1.35 times the burden of PM pollution from sources like power plants and cars (also rampant greenhouse gas sources) compared to the overall population, people of color faced 1.28 times the burden, and Black Americans suffered 1.54 times the burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even worse, marginalized communities like people of color tend to have less coverage, access, and use of quality health care<\/a>. That means already vulnerable communities struggle in obtaining treatment for climate change induced heat-related illnesses, insect-borne diseases, allergies, and asthma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We Can Fight Climate Change Together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how we can keep our friends, families, and our most vulnerable populations healthy and safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find and Support a Local, Climate Justice Organization<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By supporting a climate justice organization, you support people on the frontlines of the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a Climate Pledge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commit to reducing your greenhouse gas emissions by yourself or with your friends, family, or community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn About Environmental Justice<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public health impacts demonstrate that the health of our environment is directly tied to the health of our communities, and some groups are disproportionately affected. Our climate fight must be guided by equity and justice \u2013 and we can start acting by learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sign Up for our E-Newsletter, Climate Connection<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each month, we\u2019ll send you climate information, community action, and solutions. Sign up for our newsletter to join our climate action community and help us tackle climate change.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We can see climate change\u2019s impacts on the health of our world all around us, right here in Massachusetts. Our friends, families, and neighbors have to adapt (just like wildlife and plants) to new and heightened threats \u2013 and one of those is a threat to public health. Warm, Warmer, Too Hot Warming temperatures bring […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":14336,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[178],"tags":[246,150,342,348],"class_list":["post-14334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-climate","tag-climate-action","tag-climate-change","tag-community","tag-public-health"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/Scott-Bauer-USDA-Flickr-Adult-Deer-Tick.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3Jc","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13968,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-early-bird-sings-a-tale-of-climate-change\/","url_meta":{"origin":14334,"position":0},"title":"The Early Bird Sings a Tale of Climate Change","author":"Rishya N.","date":"May 13, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"As buds bloom and seedlings sprout, you can hear the familiar chorus of American Robins in your backyard, signaling the arrival of spring. Over the last few years, however, you may have heard our robins start singing earlier than usual. What We Know A recent study found that migrating American\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0919.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0919.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0919.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/KForesto-0919.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14409,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/heat-and-air-quality\/","url_meta":{"origin":14334,"position":1},"title":"There\u2019s more to Summertime than Heat","author":"Rishya N.","date":"July 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"You can\u2019t\u00a0miss\u00a0the telltale sign of summertime: that\u00a0classic\u00a0spike in\u00a0heat.\u00a0We\u2019re all\u00a0probably feeling a little\u00a0sweatier\u00a0than usual, but\u00a0the\u00a0heat is more than just uncomfortable.\u00a0 That\u2019s because temperature is directly linked to air quality\u00a0and our health\u00a0\u2013 and climate change\u00a0aggravates\u00a0that\u00a0link.\u00a0 The Basics of Air Pollution\u00a0 Ozone\u00a0is what we more commonly refer to as smog.\u00a0Particle matter\u00a0(PM) is a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/pollution-4001554_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/pollution-4001554_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/pollution-4001554_1920.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/pollution-4001554_1920.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14261,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-splash-of-good-news\/","url_meta":{"origin":14334,"position":2},"title":"A Splash of Good News","author":"Rishya N.","date":"June 17, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"As one of the world\u2019s largest, natural carbon sinks (a sponge that sucks up rampant carbon dioxide emissions) the ocean is working incredibly hard to balance the impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, that means a lot is changing inside our waters: from warming temperatures to acidification, climate change\u2019s effects on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/1306Jennifer_Childs13178.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/1306Jennifer_Childs13178.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/1306Jennifer_Childs13178.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/1306Jennifer_Childs13178.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14942,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/on-bug-boxes-and-climate-change\/","url_meta":{"origin":14334,"position":3},"title":"On Bug Boxes, Climate Grief, and Human Health\u202f","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"November 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"My connection to nature sparked as a \u202fkid in the eighties.\u202fI owned a bug box\u202f\u2013 my \u202fgrandmother\u2019s neighbor made them in bulk and then let the kids on the block decorate them. It was a simple wooden construction with a panel door that swung sideways and up, with fine mesh\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/Claire_Leverett_Pond.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/Claire_Leverett_Pond.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/Claire_Leverett_Pond.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/Claire_Leverett_Pond.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14656,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/hemlocks-and-climate-ama\/","url_meta":{"origin":14334,"position":4},"title":"You Asked, We Answered \u2013 Land, Hemlocks, and Climate Change","author":"Rishya N.","date":"September 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Last week, Olivia Barksdale, Mass Audubon\u2019s Conservation Restriction Stewardship Specialist, journeyed into Rutland Brook wildlife sanctuary in Petersham to talk about land, hemlock trees, and climate change. Photo \u00a9 Clark University An Overview of Hemlocks Hemlock trees are evergreen conifers that are widely distributed across Massachusetts. They\u2019re a long-lived tree,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/09\/2018-Olivia-Barksdale-Clark-University-1340x893-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/09\/2018-Olivia-Barksdale-Clark-University-1340x893-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/09\/2018-Olivia-Barksdale-Clark-University-1340x893-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/09\/2018-Olivia-Barksdale-Clark-University-1340x893-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14164,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/oath-to-our-ocean\/","url_meta":{"origin":14334,"position":5},"title":"An Oath to Our Ocean","author":"Rishya N.","date":"June 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Nothing says Massachusetts like the ocean. Beautiful coastlines, sparkling beaches, and local seafood are part of what makes our commonwealth special. The ocean provides humans and wildlife with so much that allows us to thrive. Now, the ocean needs our help. Mass Audubon's Allens Pond wildlife sanctuary A giant, blue\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/Waves-of-Change.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/Waves-of-Change.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/Waves-of-Change.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/Waves-of-Change.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14334","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/126"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14334"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14334\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14347,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14334\/revisions\/14347"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14334"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14334"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14334"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}