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The Climate Gap

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The Climate Gap

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Active Transportation Co-Benefits

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• Reductions– Air pollution– Noise– Infrastructure costs– Community severance– GHG emissions

• Increases– Physical activity– Social capital

Reductions Respiratory disease Cardiovascular disease Diabetes Depression Osteoporosis Cancer Stress

Avoidable increases Bike/ped injuries

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Heat Resilience Co-Benefits• Urban greening

– Places to be active– Healthy food access– Reduce storm water run-off– Decrease flooding risk– Replenish groundwater– Improve aesthetics– Reduce crime

• Reduce heat island effect– Reduce heat illness risk– Decrease energy consumption– Lower energy costs– Reduce air pollution

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Climate Change and Health

• Climate change has direct impacts on health & well-being• Climate change is a threat multiplier

– Climate change exacerbates existing health challenges• Climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable

populations and disadvantaged communities• Climate change effects the systems on which human life

depends – air, water, food, shelter, security.• Co-benefits offer many opportunities to simultaneously

improve health and address climate change

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What is happening now?

• Greenhouse gas emissions increasing• Current actions not consistent with

temperature increase less than 20C• Require substantial cuts in emissions by

mid-century through large-scale changes in energy systems and possibly land use

• Delay makes transition substantially more difficult and costly, and narrows options

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http://www.ipcc.ch

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Public Health has a Key Role– High value on health, clean air & water, toxin-free, access to

parks/green

• Health professionals credible and trusted• Our language – prevention & protection -

resonates• Health frame engenders interest in climate

action• Co-benefits provide hope and immediacy• Climate actions & health actions aligned

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