Why Climate Change is a Health and Justice Issue, EPA

"20141216-OSEC-DK-1862" by U.S. Department of Agriculture licensed under CC BY 2.0
20141216-OSEC-DK-1862” by U.S. Department of Agriculture licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: US news

Climate change is more than an environmental issue — it is an issue that gravely impacts public health and social justice. Gina McCarthy, EPA administrator and leader is leading the conversation that reshapes the way we think of climate change and its impact on our planet.

McCarthy explains that alleviating climate change will not only reap great benefits for the environment, but will also serve as a method of preventing health issues that are a result of pollution and waste, while also helping people in low-income minority communities lead healthier lives, since that are usually receiving few benefits from efforts to alleviate the impacts of climate change.

She “recasts the image of climate action” from one in the interest of ‘tree-huggers and activists’ to a universal “medical necessity and environmental justice.”

Fifty-fiver percent of our rivers and streams cannot sustain human life, because of climate change. Children and teens suffer from asthma and cardiovascular health diseases because of air pollution. People in low-income communities have less access to drinkable water because of water pollution. Millions of people have no access to food because of climate change. Millions of people are unaware of the prevention measures they can take to navigate the environmental hazards that are a result of climate change.

“We just need to remind people. I don’t need a poll question about whether or not you care about your kids’ health and whether they’re protected. I do not dispute that you need to have jobs and an ability to put food on the table. Those are also incredible public health issues, as well as a reliable electricity system. What I’m saying is you don’t have to pick and choose. No one should want to have to trade-off their kids’ public health in order to have a job,” McCarthy explains.

Read full story at: US News

Environment, Health, Justice & Poverty, News
Environment, Health, Justice & Poverty, News