Climate Change, Data and Health

Posted by Sarah Levin-Lederer on July 17th, 2023 Posted in: Blog
Tags: climate change, Data, health disparities

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This is the first in a new semi-regular series taking on climate change data and health. Future posts will cover such topics as extreme heat, drought and flooding, vector borne diseases and more.

Each post will include information on data sources, how does it affect health and adaptation resources.

Before digging into specific climate change related issues: What is climate change? What data do we have to show that it’s happening? And what can people do?

What is Climate Change?

From NASA’s Climate Kids: “Climate change describes a change in the average conditions — such as temperature and rainfall — in a region over a long period of time. NASA scientists have observed Earth’s surface is warming, and many of the warmest years on record have happened in the past 20 years.”

Cambio climático evidencia, causas y efectos (NASA)

Climate Change Data

Climate.gov (NOAA)-Climate literacy, data snapshots, 10+ indicators tracked over time, regular updates and posts, and more.

Climate Change Indicators in the United States (EPA)-Providing evidence of changes and their impacts on people and the environment from EPA partners including dozens of data contributors.

Dig into the Data: Explore the Climate Indicators (EPA)

Climate Change Data (CDC-National Environmental Public Health Tracking)-Datasets to better understand how climate changes can influence human health.

National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network Data Explorer (CDC)

University Maine Climate Change Institute educational and research opportunities and a Climate Matters section including the Climate Reanalyzer, conferences and more.

Climate Change and Health

Climate change affects health through extreme temperatures and heat related illness, flooding and larger storms leading to water and food contamination, higher pollen, mold and air pollution, spread of vector borne diseases and more. Learn more:

• Climate Change Health Topics Page(MedlinePlus)
• Cambio climático (MedlinePlus español)
• Climate Effects on Health (CDC)
• Regional Health Effects-Northeast (CDC)
• Climate Change and Health (World Health Organization)
• Cambio climático y salud (Organización Mundial de la Salud)

Climate Adaptation Resources

From the EPA: “Climate change adaptation or climate adaptation means taking action to prepare for and adjust to both the current and projected impacts of climate change.” Learn more:

• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Climate Adaptation Planning (CDC)
• Climate Change, Health and Equity Among Minority and Vulnerable Populations A Public Health Approach (NNLM R1 Webinar)
• How the Climate-Ready States and Cities Initiative (CRSCI) Grant Recipients are Preparing for and Responding to Increasing Temperatures
• Climate Resilience in Your Community Activity Book and lesson plan (NOAA)
• Get involved with climate change citizen science projects from citizenscience.gov or SciStarter. For example: Maine Climate Change Observatory Network