Air Quality and Global Warming

The adverse health impacts of climate change are already being felt worldwide.  Global warming contributes to disease and premature death from heat waves, extreme weather events, reduced air quality, malnutrition and infectious disease.  According to a July 2008 study, 70% of US Public Health directors believed that their jurisdiction had already experienced climate change in the past 20 years, and 78% felt that  their jurisdiction will experience climate change in the ext 20 years (Maibach, et.al., 2008, Climate Change & Local Public health in the United States: Preparedness, Programs & perceptions of local public health department directors, Center for Climate Change Communications, George Mason University).  PSR Wisconsin works to educate policy makers, health care providers and the public about the negative health impacts of climate change, and the urgent need for a new energy economy.  Wisconsin relies on coal-fired electrical generation for three-quarters of its energy. 

PSR Wisconsin supports efforts to uphold the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and strong regulation of coal ash pits.  We support the Clean Air Act and recognize that the greatest benefits to public health will be acheived by working both to improve air quality through regulation and expanding clean energy and transportation options.