Climate change is a public health issue

Climate change is a growing public health threat, and continues to impact communities around the world. Carbon pollution drives heat that exacerbates underlying medical conditions, amplifies extreme weather events, and even encourages the spread of invasive pests and deadly diseases. This week, we dig into some of those health impacts and solutions.

– Michael Crowe, Editor/Project Manager, Covering Climate Collaborative

Reporting from Our Partners

A paddeboarder silhouetted against gold water at sunset

ABC 15 Phoenix: Heart attack risk doubles on days of extreme heat and high pollution

A new study is showing extreme heat and high pollution are a one-two punch for heart health and that the risk of a heart attack doubles on days when we see both weather and air pollution alerts.

Word in Black: Breathing Dirty Air Is Deadlier Than Smoking

But unlike cigarettes, you don’t exactly have a choice about whether or not to inhale the smog-choked air where you live.

A graphic from climate central. Warmer fall temperatures prolong risks of heat-related illness, on the rise recently as the Raleigh area has been facing record heat days.

WRAL: Summer heat extending into fall could pose new health worries in NC

Heat is a growing health concern for North Carolinians, as warming trends stretch risks over longer periods of time.

In the Raleigh and Durham area, fall is more than two and a half degrees hotter than it was in 1970, according to NOAA.

News from the Collab

A slide from Jesse Jenkins REPEAT project presention, showing jobs and investments from IRA climate legislation.

The Inflation Reduction Act at One Year: What's Worked, and What's Ahead

Princeton’s Jesse Jenkins Speaks to LMA Climate Collaborative Local Journalists on One Year of Historic Climate Legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act

From Our Science Partners

A graph from climate central showing the ride of their climate shift index between june and august

Climate Central: Carbon pollution boosted heat for billions during Earth’s hottest summer

New analysis from our partners at Climate Central found nearly half (48%) of the world’s population experienced at least 30 June-August days with a Climate Shift Index (CSI) level 3 or higher — heat made at least three times more likely by climate change.

What we're reading

Washington Post Climate Zeitgest reporter digs into schizophrenia as the most dangerous pre-existing condition in a heatwave, with a heartbreaking narrative
Inside Climate News shares, "Medical Toolkit for Climate Resiliency Is Built on the Latest Epidemiology and ER Best Practices"
Crosscut in Seattle investigates the risks firefighters face, "Amid heavy smoke, wildfire crews work without practical respirators"

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