Global Warming: Where Do We Stand?

While the debate on whether global warming (GW) really exists, and if so, will it have human or environmental impact rages on, our organization needs to become proactive in both our stance on the issue and on what we cando for health mitigation. Proponents of GW eschew a cataclysmic future. Others look at it as a natural cycle of nature, while unbelievers espouse that GW does not exist and is certainly not anthropomorphic in nature.

In the midst of the rhetoric and the hype, lines have been drawn. I would suggest that data (and conventional wisdom) do seem to suggest that we are undergoing a climate change. However, debate on the human health effects continues. Regardless of the true outcomes on our environment and human health (animal/plant effects will be significant, as well), a proactive dialogue needs to ensue on strategies we can field to mitigate potential ill-health.

The touted health effects appear to be twofold. First, effects of a rising world mean temperature and increase in solar radiation (ultraviolet) would include an increase in skin cancers and cataracts, and a reduction and maldistribution of world water. An increase in the distribution of endemic diseases has already been noted.

Second, important to us, is the increase in warming gases, such as water vapor, methane, and nitrous oxide, with the attendant, currently unknown, pulmonary and systemic health effects.

There are many more issues to raise and discuss, and in that vein, the Disaster Response Network would like to hear your thoughts and concerns on the issue of GW. Please send your comments to the NetWorks Department (networks@chestnet.org), and we will try to respond to all.

Dr. Dennis Amundson, FCCP
NetWork Chair