Editor’s note: This commentary is by Megan Malgeri, MD, a family medicine physician and a member of the Vermont Climate and Health Alliance.
As a physician, people in my community look to me be an unbiased translator of science. Regarding global warming, the science is clear: Climate change is a staggering threat to our health. The World Health Organization has prioritized air pollution and climate change as the first on their list of top 10 global health threats. Last year, the Global Climate Health Forum issued a statement that “climate change is a global health emergency.” Over 70 major medical groups have backed that assertion in the U.S. alone, and many more across the world demand action for the greatest public health threat of our time.
Climate change is no longer a distant forecast. Changes in storm patterns, weather extremes, and resulting deaths and morbidity are now in the news regularly. Locally, the Vermont Department of Health indicates that Vermont has experienced twice as many federally declared natural disasters compared to the prior decade. Vermont’s temperatures have risen an average of two degrees in the summer and four degrees in the winter over the past 50 years. A warmer climate means we have changing disease patterns. Vermont currently has one of the highest rates of Lyme in the country, and with warming, other tick and mosquito-borne diseases will increase in prevalence. Threats to our food and water sanitation and infrastructure are well documented. After hurricane Irene, we had extensive infrastructure damage and expenses, public water systems were down, and 17 wastewater treatment plants noted compromise. Farmers experienced extensive damage to their crops. In my clinic, I notice weather extremes affecting my patients. Although anyone is susceptible, patients with asthma, COPD, heart disease or any serious chronic medical illness are most vulnerable. The Vermont Department of Health notes that emergency visits are eight times as likely on the hottest days of the year. These health impacts are not unexpected. The CDC has been predicting these impacts for years.
Yet our government not only stands idle in the face of this public health crisis, Federal agencies are actively worsening the situation. Recently, the EPA laid out plans to roll back emission regulations for methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases. When the Environmental Protection Agency is working against its own named title to harm the environment, it is clear that the states can no longer sit on the sidelines.
Many Vermonters feel that we are doing our part. Unfortunately, this is not so. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources documents that our greenhouse gas pollution has risen by 16% since 1990.
So, what can we do?
Sixteen-year old student activist Greta Thunberg was nominated this year for the Nobel Peace Prize because of her work on climate change. Along with kids all over the planet, she has called for a “Global Climate Strike” on Sept. 20. You can learn more at www.vermontclimatestrike.org.
UVM and Burlington will host two rallies on Sept. 20: first from 11 a.m.-noon at the Davis Center, then from noon-2 p.m. outside City Hall on Church Street.
Students are asking all Vermonters to show up to magnify their voices. Our children’s concern for their future demands that we step away from our day-to-day concerns to take collective action. Medical and health professionals who are able will join, representing with white coats or scrubs, to advocate for our children and grandchildren’s health. We need thousands of Vermonters to join our children in sending an unmistakable message to Gov. Phil Scott, Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe, Speaker Mitzi Johnson and the Legislature.
Whether you can make the rallies or not, commit to two other actions. Write to our more senior elected leaders to let them know you want their action on this issue. Reach the governor at https://governor.vermont.gov/contact-us/message and your legislators at https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/. Then spread the word about the issue and the strike among colleagues, friends, family and neighbors.
As a primary care doctor, my job is to advise people when the time has come to make a change for the sake of health. I have come to realize that the time has come for me to step up to advise on this issue. I need to be able to look into my children’s and my patients’ eyes and to be able to tell them that I am advocating for them and their future. I hope that you will reflect on what you can do, and to take at least one of these recommendations. Join the Vermont health care community and Vermont’s students, and tell our representatives that it is time to act on climate.
