More carbon pollution means higher temperatures, and that means more dangerous smog - plus a whole host of other health impacts. That's why EPA is working on limiting carbon pollution from power plants, which are the nation's largest single source of this pollutant. And they're listening for everyone's ideas as to how.
Recently, several volunteers with the Lung Association's Healthy Air Campaign traveled to DC from across Virginia - including an Annandale resident - to testify at EPA's listening session on cutting carbon pollution. This group of medical professionals and patients spoke compellingly about the need for strong limits on carbon.
Dr. Laura Anderko of Annandale is a Georgetown nursing professor and an expert on the health impacts of climate change. She spoke before EPA staff about some of the many ways that climate change hurts public health.
Dr. Anderko is teaching students, other nurses, and the public about the impacts of climate change on our health, and she's helping other health professionals become advocates to better protect their patients. (Find out more from her report, "Climate Change and Health: Is There a Role for the Health Care Sector?" at http://www.chausa.org/docs/default-source/general-files/9c161534f9e94b3bb2f34a3cc191e97f1-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=0)
We're already experiencing the beginnings of these health impacts. Here in Northern Virginia, we have unhealthy levels of smog - we're part of the 9th smoggiest metro area in the country, in fact. We can't afford the additional air pollution that will occur if we don't cut carbon emissions.
There's still plenty of time for you to speak up to EPA about why you want them to set strong limits on this pollution. And you can do it from the comfort of your computer. Just visithttp://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards/forms/carbon-pollution-standards-contact-us to weigh in.
