Scientists project significant negative health consequences from climate change, including illness and death related to extreme temperatures, air pollution, and wildfires. We know that the impacts will hit our most vulnerable groups—children, the elderly, people with chronic diseases, and the socially or economically disadvantaged—disproportionately.
California leads the country in the search for solutions to global warming. With passage of AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, and SB 375, Redesigning Communities to Reduce Greenhouse Gases (2008), there’s been a lot of activity in the state. But how close are we getting to actions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help protect the health of Californians?

In what is guaranteed to be a lively discussion, our panel of experts will examine the health impacts of climate change; strategies that the nation, state, counties, and cities can take to lessen these negative health outcomes; and the importance of effectively communicating the risks posed by climate change, engaging different audiences through tailored messages, and motivating specific behaviors required to prevent or reduce the health effects of climate change.

Panelists:

Yvonne Hunter, MA, program director, California Climate Action Network, Institute for Local Government
Connie Roser-Renouf, PhD, faculty researcher, Center for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University
Miriam Rotkin-Ellman, MPH, scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Linda Rudolph, MD, MPH, chief deputy director policy & programs (acting), California Department of Public Health
Robin Salsburg, JD, senior staff attorney, Public Health Law & Policy (facilitator)