The Environment and Your Health

Presented by

Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH

Test Your Knowledge

1. Climate change is caused by human activities, which are significantly increasing the concentrations of ___________ in the atmosphere.a. Sand debrisb. Greenhouse gas emissionsc. Fluorescent lightd. High grade mercury

2. According to a World Health Organization report, human induced changes in the earth’s climate now lead to at least __________ cases of illness and more than _________ deaths each year.a. 5 million; 150,000b. 1,000; 2 millionc. 25,000; 5,000d. 1 million; 1,000

3. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change brings together hundreds of the world’s leading scientists to study the impact of human activities on the Earth’s climate. Its latest consensus reports notes all of the following except:a. Widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising sea levelsb. Development of super-species of plants with more resistance to sunlightc. Increases in global average air and ocean temperaturesd. Many dry areas becoming more arid and their soils drying out

4. Americans make up just ____ percent of the world’s population, but we produce about _____ percent of the carbon dioxide pollution.

a. 1; 15

b. 5; 50

c. 4; 22

d. 25; 50

5. Our climate is predicted to ______ over the next few decades.

a. Slow its pace of change to a virtual halt.

b. Stay virtually the same.

c. Change at an increasingly rapid rate.

Okay, how does the environment affect your health?

Garbage

• Brings out pests

• Spreads diseases

• Unsightly

• Gets into water supply

Standing Water

• Draws mosquitos

• Attracts other pests

• Spreads disease

• Water sitting in bottle can be a breeding ground for bacteria

What about all that gas?

• Creates CO2

• Causes air pollution

• Harder to breathe

• Fumes exacerbate asthma

Prepackaged Foods

• Lots of additives

• Increased sodium intake

• Decreased vitamin intake

• Boxes fill up landfills

What About Bottled Water?

• Plastic Bottles cause more garbage

• Some is only tap water, which comes in your home and is regulated

• Bacteria can breed in bottled water once opened

What Can You Do? Recommendations from the

American Public Health Association

• Be Prepared

• Travel Differently

• Eat Differently

• Green Your Work

• Green Your Home

Be Prepared

• Inform Yourself• Know Your Community• Tell a Friend• Talk about the Environment at Your Next

Volunteer Meeting or Community Center• Lobby Your Representatives

Travel Differently

• Park the Car

• Use Public Transportation

• Walk

• Bike

• Combine Trips or Carpool

Eat Differently

• Eat Meatless at Least One Day a Week

• Check What’s Currently in Your Kitchen

• Go to a Farmer’s Market

• Check Food Labels

• Plan Meals with Local Food Products

Green Your Work

• Save Energy

• When Possible Keep Things Digital

• Use Green Office Products

• Telecommute if You Can

• Buy Recycled Furniture

Green Your Home

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• Heat and Cool Smartly

• Seal and Insulate Your Home

• Use Water Efficiently

• Use Green Power

Thanks for Coming!!