Climate Change: More Bad News and Some Good

Climate Change: More Bad News and Some Good
A new JAMA study (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=8abbe29e6b&e=9c1fcebfa3) thoroughly assesses the health risks associated with climate change. Some well known—heat stress, increased cardiac arrests, decreased work productivity—and others that are not as widely reported, including weakened respiratory health, increases in infectious diseases and higher levels of mental stress.

The Guardian's blog, Environment Climate Consensus-The 97% also notes that the new report, authored by Jonathan Patz and Howard Frumkin of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, asserts that actions we can take to mitigate climate change can also improve our health. Examples: Adding urban green spaces could promote exercise, and reducing short-term greenhouse gases would reduce premature deaths and bolster crop yields.
The Guardian (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=46d2559398&e=9c1fcebfa3)


A Lawsuit in Louisiana
In Louisiana, an acre of land per hour is sinking into the Gulf of Mexico.

Climate change and rising ocean levels play a role but so does the destruction of the state's environment. This terrific New York Times Magazine article (from Sunday) profiles historian and author John Barry who wants to do something about the disappearing marsh and wetlands of South Louisiana. (The loss sharply increases the risk of storms flooding New Orleans). His solution: Sue the big oil companies that contributed to the loss by poking 50,000 wells in the ground “creating pockets of air that in the marsh that accelerate the land’s subsidence.”

The oil industry itself has said it’s responsible for 36% of the land loss so Barry figures it should kick in at least $18 billion towards wetlands restoration. The oil industry, not surprisingly, disagrees.
The New York Times (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=7370a55023&e=9c1fcebfa3)