Climate Change: What You Can Do
Although
National Public Health week has come and gone, the focus of the
week still remains at the forefront of public health. This year’s
theme was “Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance.” And while
this topic may seem to some like one with more of a political
implication than a practical one, we’ve seen the effects of climate
change in our City in recent years. With the expected increase
in weather-related disasters, vector borne diseases like Lyme
Disease and West Nile, water shortages, heat stress, heat stroke,
allergies and asthma, many of us may be wondering what we can
do to make a positive change.
What can be done to help decrease the effects
of climate change? Based on National Public Health Week’s daily
themes: “Be Prepared,” “Travel Differently,” “ Eat Differently,”
“Green Your Work,” and “Green Your Home,” the City of St. Louis
Department of Health has the following suggestions on simple things
you can do that could make a world of difference.
• Be Prepared. With the rise in temperatures
that can create an increase in severe weather events and overall
precipitation, be sure your home is not a breeding ground for
mosquitoes that can carry West Nile Virus. Eliminate any source
of standing water which could promote mosquito breeding. Use insect
repellents when spending time outdoors. Stay well hydrated by
drinking plenty of water during warm days and keep air conditioners
and fans in good repair. Have an emergency kit ready for a weather
related event like a flood or power outage. Check out our webpage
http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/health/publichealthweek.htm
for more ideas on ways you can protect your home against
mosquitoes and steps you can take to be prepared in the case of
an emergency.
• Travel Differently. Your car is the biggest contributor to greenhouse
gases, the gases responsible for trapping heat in the earth’s
atmosphere thus causing temperature increases across the globe.
By leaving your car at home or minimizing the number of trips
you take in your car during the day, you can effectively do your
part to protect our Earth’s health. So find a used bike, take
the bus, walk, or run to just give your car (and the atmosphere)
a break whenever you can!
•
Eat Differently. “Buy locally, think globally.” Food grown in
your local state or community does not have to travel cross country
to your kitchen thus saving energy and reducing greenhouse gases.
There are at least 10 farmer’s markets in the St. Louis Metro
Area that sell locally grown produce, meat, poultry, and other
products.
Check out our webpage
http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/health/publichealthweek.htm
for a listing of those local markets’ locations and hours of operation.
•
Green Your Work. Recycling, reusing, and reducing the amount of
trash you create is one of the easiest things you can do to promote
good environmental health. Start a recycling program. Visit the
City of St. Louis Refuse Department’s website http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/recycle
for more information on how your business, school, or organization
can get started.
•
Green Your Home. Use energy efficient appliances and products
and turn off your lights. Energy Star appliances, though they
cost more upfront, will actually save you money throughout their
lifetime because they use less energy, which means lower electric
bills for you! In addition, the City of St. Louis has 26 FREE
recycling sites throughout the city that citizens can use. Check
out our webpage http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/health/publichealthweek.htm
for locations.
By taking small steps like these, not only will
you be protecting the planet, but you will also be making an impact
on the health of your community, your family, and yourself. No
one will be spared from the effects of climate change which is
why everyone needs to make small changes for the future.
The City of St. Louis Department of Health encourages
you to think of climate change as a health issue for which everyone
is at risk and one that everyone can do something about.
Remember to visit our webpage:
http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/health/publichealthweek.htm
for more
information. Take action today. Together, we can create a better
tomorrow.
Health
Department
City of St. Louis
Health
Department web site
