Climate Change - Van Vleet
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Transcript of Climate Change - Van Vleet
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American Lung Association
Mission: To save lives by
improving lung health and
preventing lung disease
Vision: A world free of lung
disease
Active nationally, and in all 50
states.
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• Health and medical leaders
are trusted and influential
voices.
• Validate health impacts of
climate change
• Can help shape public
perception and federal policy
outcomes.
Health and Medical Community Must Lead
Lead By Example
Educate
AdvocateInform Policy
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Healthy Air Campaign
What is the campaign?
• Science-based campaign for clean air and climate
protections
• Coalition of health and medical organizations
• Leverage medical experts and personal stories
• National and state-based effort
• Rooted in Lung Association’s historic fight for healthy air
• Launched in 2011
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Integrated Approach: Healthy Air Campaign
Media Advocacy
Coalition Engagement
Decision-Maker Advocacy
Grassroots Rapid Response
Research and Data Collection
Litigation
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Someone in Every Family is at Increased Risk from Air Pollution
Vulnerable Populations Include:
• Infants and children
• Older adults
• People with asthma, COPD and other
chronic lung health problems
• People with diabetes and cardiovascular
disease
• Low income communities
• People who work and exercise outdoors
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Climate Change Harms Health
Greenhouse Gases
• Trap heat in the atmosphere
• Co-pollutants directly harm health
Warmer Global Temperatures
• Heat, Drought
• Air Pollution
• Extreme Weather
• Many more
Health Impacts
• Heat related deaths
• Asthma Attacks
• Heart attacks, strokes
• Allergic reactions
• Spread of diseases
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3 Major Ways Climate Change Impacts Air Pollution
• Hot, stagnant air Ozone Pollution (smog)
• Wildfire smoke Particle Pollution (soot)
• Longer allergy seasons & increased allergen
count Worsened allergies symptoms
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• Forest fires in Quebec, Canada, during July 2002 resulted in up to a 30-fold increase in airborne fine particle concentrations in Baltimore, Maryland
• Smoke exposure increases respiratory disease hospitalizations and emergency department visits
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How can physicians engage in education and advocacy efforts?
1. Keep Learning
2. Support Public Policy Action
3. Speak Out
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Keep Learning!
• Lancet Countdown’s 2017 Report (released Oct 30) + The
Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change Report
(2015)
• The U.S. Climate and Health Assessment (2015) + the National
Climate Assessment (2014 + upcoming 2018 report)
• The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health’s
“Medical Alert! Climate Change is Harming Our Health” Report
(2017)
• American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” Report (Annual)
• US Climate and Health Alliance’s webpage for the State Policy
Initiative (launched in 2017)
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Support Public Policy Action
• Participate with a health/medical coalition: the Lung Association convenes
campaigns in some states coalitions to defend healthy air protections and
address climate change– we can connect you!
• Join in-person meetings with decision-makers to share your health
expertise
• It’s ok to focus on a few key impacts that affect your patients most directly
• Sign letters to decision-makers
• Support the development of strong public policy positions of your health
and medical community
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Policy Opportunities at Federal and State Levels
• Federal-Level
• Support EPA funding to reduce air pollution and protect health
• Defend against efforts to weaken Clean Air Act authority, and
block or delay existing protections
• Support implementation & enforcement of the Clean Air Act
• Support comprehensive policy to address climate change
• State-Level
• Reduce carbon pollution from power sector, oil and gas, and
transportation sectors – major sources of emissions
• Support increases in clean renewable energy and efficiency
• Participate in regional efforts to reduce carbon pollution and
other greenhouse gases
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• Climate, Health, and Equity 101: How does climate change
impact health?
• Policy 101: How are policies made? Where does the health
voice come in? Who should I talk to?
• Communicating With Legislators: How do I get a meeting?
What do I say to make sure my message gets across? What is
my message?
• Op-Eds: Templates, examples, and tips for writing and placing
effective op-eds, specifically for professionals like you.
• State Climate Policy Tools: How do I find policies to act on?
“State Policy Initiative” Resources
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Speak Out: Your Voice Matters
What is Media Advocacy? It’s is a way to influence
decision-makers through the media outlets that matter
to them.
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• Media interview
• Examples: Print/TV/radio
• Earned Media
• Examples: Authoring an opinion piece or letter to the
editor
• Speaking event
• Examples: Congressional hearing or briefing
• Reporter briefing
• Social Media
Getting the Message Out: Tactics & Tools
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• Lancet Countdown’s 2017 Report (released Oct 30) + The
Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change Report
(2015)
• The U.S. Climate and Health Assessment (2015) + the National
Climate Assessment (2014 + upcoming 2018 report)
• The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health’s
“Medical Alert! Climate Change is Harming Our Health” Report
(2017)
• American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” Report (Annual)
• US Climate and Health Alliance’s webpage for the State Policy
Initiative (launched in 2017)
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• Focus on specific health impacts that will resonate with your
community
• Share patient stories, i.e., a patient with asthma who struggles on
high ozone days, or someone affected by wildfires or extreme
weather
• Where possible and appropriate, make the climate connection
explicit
• Statistics can be powerful, but should be kept limited.
• Call for action to protect public health and the health of your
patients
Messaging Tips
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Questions?
• Diana Van Vleet, Director of Media Advocacy, Healthy Air
Campaign
• [email protected]; 202.715.1863