National Pollution Control Day: How Does Climate Change Affect You?

• How far do you travel by train, car, bus, or plane?
• Your diet’s composition.
• Your home’s energy consumption.

• The environmental consequences of climate change affect our psychological, social, and physical health.
• Climate change can potentially exacerbate the health effects of toxic air pollution among vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and those with cardiovascular disease or asthma.
• Changes in greenhouse gas concentrations impact the global climate and human health. For instance, the rise in the earth’s temperature can bring floods and heat waves.

• Foodborne Diseases,
• Stress-Related Disorders,
• Neurological Disorders and Diseases,
• Mental Health,
• Heat Effects,
• Zoonotic and vector-borne diseases,
• Diseases spread through water,
• Weather-Related Mortality and Morbidity
• Asthma, Respiratory Allergies,
• Cancer,
• Stroke, Cardiovascular Diseases.

• Pollution

Increased CO2 levels exacerbate ozone and other pollution levels. A recent study found that air pollution kills 9 million people each year. Non-ozone air pollution caused by warmer weather will increase the rates of lung cancer, allergies, asthma, and cardiovascular disease.

• Heat Wave

Extreme heat is already the most lethal type of severe weather. Heat waves kill thousands of people yearly, more than hurricanes, lightning, earthquakes, and floods combined.

• Cyclones/ Fires

As CO2 levels rise, ice sheets melt, and sea levels rise, increasing the vulnerability of cities to storms. Higher temperatures can cause more intense storms with more rainfall, which can seriously affect all of us. The larger-scale planetary changes caused by accumulating atmospheric CO2 can affect human health.

How Can You Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?

• Turn it Off- When natural light is sufficient, turn off the lights when you leave the room.
• Warmer Temperature- Keep your temperature system in a moderate setting while in the room.
• Wasteful Windows- Make good use of your windows! If your climate control system is turned on, turn it off. Turn off the heat or air conditioning if you need some fresh air.
• Reduce your plug load- If you reduce the number of appliances you use, you will save a lot of energy. Reduce the number of printers in your office, for example.
• Power down computer- Did you know that many electronics use energy even when powered down? This is true of any charger, television, printer, etc.
• Give it a Rest- Power your computer down when you’re away. A computer turned off uses at least 65% less energy than a computer left on or idle on a screen saver.
• Take the Stairs- Use the stairs as often as possible. Elevators consume electricity. You, on the other hand, do not.
• Shorter Showers- Take shorter showers whenever possible. The less hot water you use, the less energy it takes to heat.
• Use CFLs- Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to ten times longer.