The lungs of the world are on fire. Brazil’s Amazon rain forest is burning at a record rate. Considering that this is the world’s largest rain forest, providing more than 20% of the earth’s oxygen, this is not only very concerning, it’s impact will be felt worldwide.
The purpose of
this post is to a) understand the impact of climate change on people with
chronic conditions and b) identify what you can do to make a difference.
While everyone is and will be impacted by climate change,
those with chronic conditions are even more vulnerable. According to the EPA
(Environmental Protection Agency), People with existing medical conditions
are at increased risk for illness and death from climate change-related impacts
on health, including changing exposures to extreme heat, extreme weather
events, and poor air quality. Existing medical conditions can make individuals
more sensitive to these exposures, increasing the potential for health impacts
and worsening symptoms. For example, individuals with respiratory conditions
are more likely to be negatively affected by exposure to poor air quality than
those without these conditions. In addition, some underlying health conditions
can make it difficult for a person to limit their exposure or adapt to risks.
For example, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty
responding to and evacuating during an extreme weather event. Certain medications
may also impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature or maintain fluid or
electrolyte balances. The number of people with common chronic medical
conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and respiratory
diseases including asthma) is expected to increase over the coming decades.
This means more people will be at risk of medical complications from climate
change-related exposures. Climate Change and the Health of People with Existing Medical Conditions.
Make a difference
Do the numbers
• Calculate Your Carbon Footprint: By knowing how big
it is, you can learn ways to reduce and/or offset it. Use the Carbon Footprint Calculator
• Check how environmentally friendly your car is at Greener Cars.
Use the Home Energy Checklist
The Smarter Home website has lots of tips on saving energy in your home.
What you eat matters: Believe
it or not your eating habits impact those around you.
• Eat less meat.
• Grow your own food
• Don’t waste food
• Compost all food scraps
• Use a reusable water bottle and say no to single use cups
and water bottles
• Shop farmers markets and bulk food bins- bring your own
bags
• Cook from scratch as much as possible
• Purchase food items in containers that are recyclable.
Save glass containers and re use to store left overs, as well as bulk food purchases.
Reduce your mobility Carbon
footprint: Going car free is the number one most effective action an
individual can take. If you can’t walk, ride a bike, use a scooter or
skateboard, take public transportation. Next is car sharing using a car share
program, particularly an electric or hybrid. If you fly consider offset
emissions.
Consume less: Upcycle, recycle, only purchasing
what you need. Buy used when possible. Bring your own shopping bag when you
shop and remember Pete Seeger’s lyrics:
If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired
Rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold
Recycled or composted
Then it should be restricted, redesigned
Or removed from production
Become a Zero Waste Patient
• Skip the freebies when you attend conferences
• When you refill prescriptions, decline the bags and all
the inserts.
• Know how to dispose of unused or expired medications.
• Donate unused medications. Many states now have
donation drug laws and have started programs specifically for collecting and
redistributing. Talk to your pharmacist about programs in your state. You can
also call the FDA at 888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332).
• Before purchasing medical equipment, check for “loan
closets” in your area. If your medical provider can’t help you with this, talk
to your local home health agency as well as your state’s independent living
center. If you have items you no longer need, donate to your local loan closet.
Note that many condition specific groups, as well as senior centers, have loan
programs.
• When possible use reusable products in place of single use
products. For example, some sharps containers and certain medical instruments
can be disinfected and reused. Check to see if products are reusable before
buying.
• If you need a medical waste container, keep it small,
otherwise it can quickly become a regular trash bin. Mark it so others know not
to use it.
• Eliminate single use items as much as possible. Carry a reusable
water bottle with you and fill up as you need it. Avoid plastic bottles as they
can leach plastic
• Choose environmentally friendly cleaning supplies
• Talk to your dentist about replacing flossing with a
water pick
• Pay attention to how materials are packaged as well as
what they are made of.
• If you need to use a straw, there are excellent reusable
ones on the market-silicone, stainless steel or stainless steel with silicone
tips all work well and will save money in
the long run.
Connect with your state’s Energy Efficiency Program: They offer a wide
variety of programs that can help you be energy efficient, while saving money.
Contact Corporations and Local
Government about Climate Change: Get involved with local groups. Talk
about how climate will affect your health. Organize your condition specific
support group to take action. It can include letter writing campaigns, public
speaking to discussing ways you can be a Zero Waste patient, lobbying
legislatures
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