Climate Change and Human Health: What Can We Do?
There are many things we can do to protect people’s health from the impacts of climate change:
- Understand. Developing equitable approaches to climate change requires understanding the risks to people’s health, including those most at risk. Researchers are studying health trends along with social inequalities to help protect people’s health.
- Monitor and inform. EPA and other partners provide air quality data through AirNow. Many state and local agencies monitor water quality and issue advisories to reduce the risk of exposure and illness if water becomes contaminated. The same is true for extreme heat.
- Respond. More and more communities are taking steps to reduce climate impacts on people’s health, such as planting more landscaping, setting up cooling centers, and constructing green buildings.
- Get involved. Individuals can also take many actions to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Protecting People from Sewer Overflows
Richmond, Virginia, developed a Clean Water Plan to address aging water infrastructure and reduce sewer overflows into local water bodies. As of 2020, the plan has helped the city conserve 113 acres of land, restore more than 15,000 feet of streams, and install 17 acres of green infrastructure.
Trees Help Cities
Cool Down
In 2021, Washington state passed a bill to increase tree planting in urban coastal areas. Tree-planting programs have numerous benefits. They help reduce the impacts of heat islands, save energy, improve air quality, and raise property values.
