Iowans are suffering from more infectious diseases and respiratory problems because of climate change, and that trend will worsen if steps are not taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to the fourth annual Iowa Climate Statement, released today in Des Moines. I’ve posted the full text of the statement after the jump. Click here for the full list of faculty and research staff who signed.
The scientists are affiliated with 38 Iowa colleges and universities and work in a wide range of fields. One of the lead authors, Dr. Yogesh Shah of Des Moines University, spoke about the relationship between climate change and infectious disease at yesterday’s annual meeting of the Iowa Environmental Council. Warmer temperatures produce greater numbers of ticks and mosquitoes, induce female mosquitoes to bite more frequently, and facilitate more rapid development of the disease-causing agents mosquitoes carry. As a result, some diseases never before seen in North America (such as chikungunya) or long since eradicated (malaria) are spreading rapidly.
LEADING IOWA SCIENTISTS: “Climate Change Hurting Iowans’ Health”
(Des Moines) Iowans are experiencing real impacts from climate change, including heavier rains and increased flooding. Human health effects from climate change are just as real and are already being felt in Iowa, according to a statement released today by statewide group of 180 Iowa scientists.
“Climate change is negatively impacting our water quality, increasing exposures to allergens and air pollutants, introducing new infectious diseases, and imposing increased stress on Iowa families,” said Peter Thorne, Professor and Head of the Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa.
The scientists say the health‐related effects of extreme weather events are the most obvious, immediate, and direct. These events are increasing in frequency and severity as our atmosphere warms and holds more moisture.
“Repeated heavy rains increase human exposure to toxic chemicals and raw sewage that are spread by flood waters,” said David Osterberg, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa.
Degraded water quality is also directly associated with climate change. “In farm states like Iowa, higher water temperatures combine with high nutrient levels to create large harmful algal blooms which make water unsuitable for human and animal consumption and for recreation,” stated Osterberg.
“The Iowa Climate Statement 2014: Impacts on the Health of Iowans,” which was released today, was signed by 180 science faculty and research staff from 38 Iowa colleges and universities. The statement is the 4th Annual Iowa Climate Statement issued by Iowa scientists and researchers.
“The strong support for the statement reflects the consensus among Iowa science faculty and research staff that action is needed now to lower emissions and find new ways to adapt to climate changes in order to reduce the risks of new health problems,” stated Dave Courard-Hauri, Associate Professor, Environmental Science and Policy Program, Drake University.
Climate change is also making it more difficult for many Iowans to breathe. Plants produce more pollen, pollen that is increasingly potent in response to warmer temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels in the air.“The number of Iowans with respiratory problems such as childhood asthma has increased dramatically since the 1980s. In many cases, this is linked to increased exposures to flood molds and to higher indoor moisture, as well as to lung-damaging ozone and fine particulate matter from burning fossil fuels,” said Thorne.
“New infectious diseases are becoming more common in the Midwest as the organisms that carry them move north due to rising temperatures. Disease carrying mosquitos and ticks are living longer and expanding their range due to increasing temperatures, more rainfall, and longer summers,” said Yogesh Shah, Associate Dean, Department of Global Health, Des Moines University.
“Our changing climate’s influence on mental health is less obvious, but it is well established that thousands of Iowans have been impacted by stress from the loss of homes and income due to climate-related flooding and drought,” Mary Mincer Hansen, Adjunct Professor, College of Health Sciences MPH Program, Des Moines University.
“As long as greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, climate‐related health problems will continue to grow,” said Neil Bernstein, Chair, Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Mount Mercy University. The scientists agree that adopting strong climate‐change policies will play a vital role in diminishing human suffering and illness now and for generations to come.
“It is clear that expanding energy efficiency and clean renewable energy efforts will have the co‐benefits of reducing air pollution and the creation of additional jobs and economic opportunities for Iowans,” stated Bernstein.
EndThe lead authors of the “Iowa Climate Statement 2014: Impacts on the Health of Iowans” include:
Peter S. Thorne, Professor and Head Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, Director, Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, College of Public Health, University of Iowa
Yogesh Shah, Associate Dean , Department of Global Health, Des Moines University
David Osterberg, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa
Mary Mincer Hansen, Adjunct Professor, College of Health Sciences MPH Program, Des Moines University
David Courard-Hauri, Associate Professor, Environmental Science and Policy Program, Drake University
Neil Bernstein, Chair, Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Mount Mercy University.
Editing assistance by Connie Mutel, Senior Science Writer, IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, University of Iowa.The 38 Colleges and Universities of statement endorsers:
Buena Vista University
Central College
Clarke University
Coe College
Cornell College
Des Moines Area Community College
Des Moines University
Dordt College
Drake University
Eastern Iowa Community College
Ellsworth Community College
Grinnell College
Indian Hills Community College
Iowa Central Community College
Iowa Lakes Community College
Iowa State University
Iowa Western Community College
Kirkwood Community College
Loras College
Luther College
Maharishi University of Management
Morningside College
Mount Mercy University
Northeast Iowa Community College
Northwestern College
Scott Community College
Simpson College
Southeastern Community College
Southwestern Community College
Saint Ambrose University
University of Dubuque
University of Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
Upper Iowa University
Waldorf College
Wartburg College
Western Iowa Tech Community College
William Penn University
Full text of Iowa Climate Statement (click here for the full list of faculty who signed):
IOWA CLIMATE STATEMENT 2014: IMPACTS ON THE HEALTH OF IOWANS
Iowans are experiencing the very real impacts of climate change, including heavier rains in spring, increased flooding, and a longer growing season. Human health effects are just as real and are already being felt in Iowa.
Most obvious, immediate, and direct are the health‐related effects of extreme events, which are increasing in frequency and severity as our atmosphere warms and holds more moisture. Iowa and the Midwest have experienced higher humidities and increased nighttime temperatures making it harder to recover from daytime heat stress. Repeated heavy rain events cause increased exposures to toxic chemicals and raw sewage that are mobilized and spread by flood waters.
Degraded water quality is another direct and immediate problem associated with climate change. In farming states like Iowa, higher water temperatures and decreased mixing have combined with high nutrient levels to create harmful algal blooms that make the water unsuitable for human and animal consumption and for recreation as evidenced by more frequent beach closures at Iowa lakes. Algal blooms can produce crisis conditions as evidenced this summer in Toledo, Ohio, where a half‐million people were left without safe water for drinking or bathing.
A less obvious, but perhaps more common, health effect of climate change is its impact on respiratory and cardiovascular health. With warmer temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels in the air, plants produce not only more pollen, but also pollen with a higher allergen content. A longer growing season extends the period of exposure to allergens, and new allergenic plants moving northward into Iowa are magnifying the range of exposures. Respiratory problems such as childhood asthma have increased dramatically in prevalence since the 1980s. In many cases, this is related to increased exposures to flood molds and to higher indoor moisture, as well as to lung‐damaging ozone and fine particulate matter made worse by higher heat in urban areas. Heat stress and exposure to air pollutants also increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke, especially in aging adults.
We are concerned about new infectious diseases arising in the Midwest as the organisms that carry them move north due to rising temperatures. We are now seeing new species of mosquitos and ticks in Iowa capable of transmitting diseases such as Dengue Fever and Ehrlichiosis. With increasing temperatures, more rainfall, and longer summers, these mosquitos and ticks can live longer and expand their range.Our changing climate’s influence on mental health is perhaps less obvious, although the stress caused by climate‐ related physical displacement and loss of livelihood due to flood or drought is well established. Other mental health problems are growing concerns. For example, research since the 1980s has associated higher temperatures with increased aggression and violence and these are now being linked to climate change.
As long as greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, climate‐related health problems will continue to grow. However, lowering emissions and seeking new ways to adapt to climate stressors will help ease the risks of new health problems, while simultaneously benefitting our economy. Energy efficiency and clean renewable energy have the co‐benefits of reducing air pollution and producing jobs, creating economic opportunities for Iowans. Many heart healthy activities such as walking or bicycling to work also decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Adopting strong climate‐change policies will play a vital role in diminishing human suffering and illness now and for generations to come.