MN Climate & Health Program Environmental Impacts Analysis Unit 625 Robert Street North Saint Paul, Minnesota August, 2014 Health Effects of Climate Change

A BRIEF REVIEW

Remember: climate & weather are different! Weather – the current condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time Climate – the pattern of weather over a long period of time (usually 30 years)

Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse gases = trap heat in the atmosphere – Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and ozone Greenhouse effect = the process by which greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun

Global Warming Image Courtesy of NASA:

Climate Change – A significant change in the Earth’s climate over time Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse Effect Global Warming Climate Change

HOW DOES CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH?

Climate Change diagram

Climate change in MN Application Question 1: Of these 3 observed climate changes, which one(s) may have contributed to the weather in the soccer game scenario?

Events from climate change Application Question 2: What events may have been present during the soccer game scenario? Note: We can’t say that climate change caused the weather at that specific soccer game, but climate change is one factor that influences it. Climate change increases the likelihood that these events will happen more often and possibly to a greater degree.

Health outcomes of climate change Application Question 3: What health outcome(s) occurred in the soccer game scenario?

Review of diagram

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY 13

Welcome to Greener News at 5! Directions To demonstrate your knowledge of how climate change affects our health, you will work in a small group to prepare a short news report for Greener News at 5. In the news report, you should communicate a specific weather event (such as a severe thunderstorm or drought) and how it impacted the health of the people living in the area. Goals – Clearly communicate the connection between climate change and health – Ensure that all team members contribute equally – Deliver the news report in under 5 minutes – BE CREATIVE! Props, costumes, accents, etc. Co-anchors, weather reporters, sports reporters, etc.

Example “Welcome to Greener News at 5. We’re you co-anchors, Zachary and Tracy. In today’s climate change news: the heat index topped 107 degrees today! Unfortunately, because of the high humidity and heat, the Twin Cities marathon was cancelled halfway through the race, as a result of several runners fainting and becoming severely dehydrated. Instead, everyone got a popsicle! However…they melted in 14 seconds, covering the runners in a layer of sugary stickiness…”