Kristen Welker-Hood, DSc MSN RN Director, Environment & Health Programs Physicians for Social...

Kristen Welker-Hood, DSc MSN RNDirector, Environment & Health Programs

Physicians for Social Responsibility- National

Global Warming: Public Health Impacts and Solutions

Global Warming: The Evidence

The Keeling Curve

Source: Scripps Institute of Oceanography

Source: US Global Change Research Program

Changes in Atmospheric CO2

“Consensus as strong as the one that has developed around this topic is rare in science”

Donald Kennedy, Editor in Chief, Science Magazine

“Global GHG emissions due to human activities have grown since pre-industrial times, with an increase of 70% between

1970 and 2004” IPCC AR4 SYR SPM

“Most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed

increase in anthropogenic GHG concentrations” IPCC AR4 SYR SPM

Global Warming & Health Effects

Potential Climate Change Impacts

Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health

European Heat Wave of 2003

Source: NASA

Spreading Infectious Disease: Malaria

Source: UNEP/GRID-Arendal

Storm Intensity

Sea Surface Temperature

Stronger Hurricanes

Source: Emanuel K. Nature (2005); 436: 686-688. Source: NASA

Rising Seas

Drought

Source: United Nations

Air Pollution-Related Health Impacts from Coal Fired Power Plants

Healthy Airway Inflamed Airway

Greenhouse Gasses and Their Sources

IPCC AR4 WG3, fig 1-1b

Percent Anthropogenic GHG Emissions per year by source.