Think: What winter weather forecasts, wildfires and mosquitoes mean for our health

NBC News / Comcast ^ | February 21, 2022 | By Neelu Tummala

[Oldeconomybuyer]

… Living in a world affected by climate change is a part of our daily reality. It is what climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe refers to as “global weirding.” All last year effects were glaringly present, from heat extremes over the summer to a record hurricane and wildfire season and, now, to warmer winter temperatures that are marked by winter mosquitoes and wildfires.

While the change in seasons is confusing, to say the least, what is most concerning to me, as a physician, is what this warmer weather means for public health.

Let’s take mosquitoes, for example. Most species of mosquitoes thrive in temperatures from 59 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit. In many parts of the U.S., warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are contributing to a lengthening of the mosquito season.

The recently released Lancet countdown on health and climate change calls climate change a “code red for a healthy future,” and a joint editorial from more than 230 medical journals calls for “emergency action” to limit global warming.

A woman in Canada was diagnosed as suffering from “climate change.” Air pollution and summer heat wave exposure were identified as contributory factors to her breathing complications, triggering the novel diagnosis. She is believed to be the first person to receive this diagnosis, but she will not be the last.

Last fall, a study reported that 70 percent of Americans are “very” or “somewhat worried” about global warming. We need this 70 percent to translate their worry into action-raising awareness about the need for local and national climate action and keeping our elected officials accountable for passing environmental legislation. Without this push, climate legislation is at risk of being neglected, as evidenced by the persistent lack of passage of the historic climate provisions in the Build Back Better Act.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Dr. Neelu Tummala is an ENT surgeon, a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, a co-director of the Climate Health Institute at George Washington University and a member of the board of Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action.

[Carriage Hill]

Another eco-wacko greenie.

“We need this 70 percent (70 percent of Americans are “very” or “somewhat worried” about global warming) to translate their (our elected officials) worry into action-raising awareness about the need for local and national climate action and keeping our elected officials accountable for passing environmental legislation.”

[EvilCapitalist]

I must be one of the 30% who doesn’t worry about it. I’m more worried about Communism/Socialism/Marxism in our government.

[JBW1949]

“...persistent lack of passage of the historic climate provisions in the Build Back Better Act...”

Another Biden suck-up....

[Alas Babylon!]

The recently released Lancet countdown on health and climate change calls climate change a “code red for a healthy future,” and a joint editorial from more than 230 medical journals calls for “emergency action” to limit global warming.

Yup. Coming to a national government near you.

"Emergency action" is what Trudeau's doing in Canada right now.

[Pilated]

I can make up very imaginative tall tales also. I entertain with mine, these people try to control others with theirs.

[JayAr36]

I suppose this would be another “credible” scientist.

[Nifster]

A tonsil cutter

I have done a mental instablock

[ro_dreaming]

I’m in the 30% that doesn’t worry about the giant flaming orb in the sky - it’ll do what it does, until it doesn’t do it anymore.

That’s what controls the weather here on planet Earth.

[Luke21]

Eat some bugs. We’ll all feel better.