CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN HEALTH

Resolution 106-02 (Adopted 2-24-02)

Author: Robert M. Gould, MD

Introduced by: Robert M. Gould, MD

Whereas, Average temperatures on earth have climbed more than one degree Fahrenheit over the past century, while average temperatures have increased 9 degrees Fahrenheit since the last Ice Age over 10,000 years ago; [1] and

Whereas, There is overwhelming scientific evidence that greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere as a result of human activities has significantly contributed to the phenomenon of global climate change; [2] and

Whereas, If predicted ranges of releases of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere continue, scientists predict that the average temperature of the earth will increase from 2.5 to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100; [3] and

Whereas, Scientific evidence links global climate change to increased weather extremes (flooding, storms, droughts, and heat waves), which all have significant potential effects on the environment, agriculture, wildlife, and public health, including emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases; [4] and

Whereas, Experts estimate that to avoid catastrophic effects on human existence, there would need to be a 70-percent reduction of greenhouse gases; [5] and

Whereas, The United States comprises only 4 percent of the world's population, while currently producing 25 percent of all greenhouse gases; [6] and

Whereas, The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change sought to address climate change by setting binding targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by developed countries; [7] and

Whereas, An effective emissions control program could be instituted without causing a significant negative inpact on our nation's economy by combining energy conservation with new alternative technologies that would reduce dependency on fossil fuels; [8] now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That CMA strongly urge the President of the United States to take proactive steps to curb greenhouse emissions and work with other nations to address the increasing dangers of global climate change by committing to binding reduction targets for emissions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this matter be referred for national action.

References

1. Environmental Protection Agency. Global Warming Site: Climate; EPA, Global Warming Site: Atmospheric Change—Past. Available: www.epa.gov/globalwarming/climate/atmosphere/past.html.

2. National Academy of Sciences. Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2001; Environmental Protection Agency. National Emissions—Recent Trends. Available: www.epa.gov/globalwarming/emissions/national/trends.html.

3. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Third Assessment Report, Summary for Policymakers; A Report of Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2001.

4. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Third Assessment Report, Summary for Policymakers; A Report of Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2001; Patz JA, McGeehin M, Bernard SM, Ebi KL, Epstein PR, Grambsch A, Gubler DJ, Reiter P, Romieu I, Rose JB, Samet JM, Trtanj J. The Potential Health Impacts of Climate Variability and Change for the United States: Executive Summary of the Report of the Health Sector of the U.S. National Assessment, Workshop Summary. Environmental Health Perspectives 108:367-376 (2000); Curriero, Frank C, Patz, Jonathan A., Rose, Joan B., and Lele, Subhash. The association between extreme precipitation and waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States, 1948-1994. American Journal of Public Health 91[8], 1194-1199. 2001; Gaffen, Dian J. and Ross, Rebecca J. Increased summertime heat stress in the US. Nature 396, 529-530. 12-10-1998; Bernard SM, Samet JM, Grambsch A, Ebi KL, Romieu I. The Potential Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Air Pollution-Related Health Effects in the United States. Environmental Health Perspectives 109 Supplement 2:199-209 (2001); World Health Organization. Climate Change and Human Health. Geneva:1996; Gubler DJ, Reiter P, Ebi KL, Yap W, Nasci R, Patz JA. Climate Variability and Change in the United States: Potential Impacts on Vector- and Rodent-Borne Diseases. Environmental Health Perspectives 109 Supplement 2:223-233 (2001); Colwell R, Epstein PR, Gubler DJ, Hall M, Reiter P, Shukla J, Takafuji E, Trtanj J, Sprigg W. Global Climate Change and Infectious Diseases. Emerging Infectious Diseases 4:451-452 (1998).

5. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Third Assessment Report, Summary for Policymakers; A Report of Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2001

6. Energy Information Administration. Emission of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 1999. Executive Summary. Washington DC:2000.

7. Revkin A. Deals Break Impasse on Global Warming Treaty. New York Times, November 11,2001; Pianin E. Greenhouse gas reductions OKd by 160 nations. U.S. not a party to climate pact. San Francisco Chronicle, November 10, 2001.

8. Agencies Are Reducing Energy Use, Energy Department Says. New York Times, July 17, 2001; Feinstein D. Increasing America’s fuel efficiency. It’s time for Detroit and Washington to take action. San Francisco Chronicle, July 2, 2001; Wald M. Energy Research Support by Government Is Praised. New York Times, July 18, 2001; Kahn J. U.S. Scientists See Big Power Savings From Conservation. New York Times, May 6, 2001.