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The 2024 presidential election will have enormous consequences for the climate, and the health and future of children
Opinion
Scientific America
By Frederica Perera, DrPH, PhD
October 31, 2024
For America’s children, the coming election will be one of the most consequential in our nation’s history. Climate change is taking a huge toll on children’s health, and the election will determine whether we continue to curb fossil fuel pollution and slow global warming, or whether we reverse the hard-won achievements of recent years with catastrophic consequences.
The Republican candidate, former president Donald Trump, has dismissed global warming as a “scam” and has vowed if elected to vigorously expand drilling for oil and gas. He has pledged to roll back or repeal the clean energy and climate policies of the Biden administration, notably targeting the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that has provided about $370 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to clean renewable energy. The deregulatory road map for a second Trump administration called “Project 2025” similarly features unlimited fossil fuel production, and a repeal of the IRA and other climate and environmental regulations.
In contrast, the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, describes climate change as an “existential” threat. As vice president she cast the tie-breaking vote allowing passage of the IRA and supported new emissions standards that will curb pollution from oil and gas operations, cars, trucks and dirty power plants. Harris announced more than $1 billion in grants in 2022 for states to address flooding and extreme heat exacerbated by climate change, and she has championed environmental justice programs to reduce the impact of climate change and fossil fuel pollution on marginalized communities.
Researchers like myself who study the health effects of climate change and air pollution in children, from in utero through adolescence, have found that climate change is a threat multiplier, placing nearly every child in the U.S. and around the world at risk from at least one climate-intensified hazard: extreme heat, severe storms and floods, wildfires, food insecurity and insect-borne diseases.
Government policies can protect our health and the economy, with our children being the greatest beneficiaries. This election will impact the health of our children now and in the future.
Read Full Op-Ed
This is an opinion and analysis article, and the views expressed by the author or authors are not necessarily those of Scientific American.
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Clean Air and Climate Policies Provide Health Benefits to New Yorkers
October 17, 2024
A new study analyzes the links between the enactment of major air pollution and climate policies in New York City and significant improvement in air quality from 1998 to 2021. It finds a cumulative beneficial effect of these policies both city-wide and among residents in communities disproportionately affected by air pollution.
The study by environmental health scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health is published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Public Health(link is external and opens in a new window)
“Because of the known significant associations between the pollutants studied and multiple adverse health effects, there are important implications for health benefits, particularly for children, who are especially vulnerable to these exposures. The results support further environmental and social policy changes to prevent the serious health impacts of air pollution from fossil fuel emissions,” says senior author Frederica P. Perera, DrPH, PhD, director of the Program in Translational Research at the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH) at Columbia Mailman School.
Read Full Press Release
Read Publication
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Policy Benefits Assessments Can Do Better
Environmental Research
Letters
Frederica Perera, DrPH, PhD
October 1, 2024
In the piece, Dr. Perera says, “Most assessments have focused largely on adult health, despite the longstanding recognition that children are especially vulnerable. Estimation of avoided cases of adverse birth outcomes, neurodevelopmental impairment and/or childhood respiratory illness is critical to understanding the true benefits of climate and clean air policies; lacking that information, policy makers and the public have an incomplete picture of how these policies are helping their constituents.”
Read Article
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An evaluation of in utero polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure on the neonatal meconium microbiome
Divya Keerthy, Miranda J. Spratlen, Lingsheng Wen, Dwayne Seeram, Heekuk Park, Lehyla Calero, Anne Catrin Uhlemann, Julie B. Herbstman
September 27, 2024
In utero exposure to environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) is associated with neurodevelopmental impairments, prematurity and low birthweight. The gut microbiome serves as an intermediary between self and external environment; therefore, exploring the impact of PAH on microbiota may elucidate their role in disease. Here, we evaluated the effect of in utero PAH exposure on meconium microbiome.
Read Publication
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Staff Spotlight
Happy Halloween
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Left to right: Ornela Sierra-Torres, Judy Ramirez, Laura Mejia, Didi Diaz, Dahiana Peña
(Photo-by Camille Valvur)
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We hope you all had a Happy Halloween! The CCCEH research team truly embodies the spirit of teamwork, and through their playfulness, show their natural inclination to connect with children and families.
They are passionate about children's environmental health and justice and ready to make a difference!
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CCCEH
Community Outreach & Translation Core (COTC)
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CCCEH EHJ Advocates Spreading the Word on Toxic Illegal Pesticides | |
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On Children's Environmental Health Day, CCCEH community outreach team in partnership with NY State Attorney General's Office's educational campaign interacted with a total of 92 individuals at the Farmers Market and the Pediatrics 2000 clinic waiting room in Washington Heights. We talked about illegal pesticides, ways to reduce pesticide exposure in foods, and the use of "Integrated Pest Management" to safeguard our children's health.
While at the Farmers Market, several individuals reported feeling ill after using SNIPER, a toxic illegal pesticide sold in the neighborhood, and expressed their gratitude for sharing the information. COTC Coordinators Anabel Cole and Maricela Ureño extend a big thank you to the EHJ Advocates (Geraldine B., Joseph C. and Vee A.) for their work, and to Pediatrics 2000 @ 168th Street for hosting our waiting room educational sessions.
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The exceptional sunny day at the Fall Festival allowed for a great opportunity to meet residents and educators.
Conversations focused on the Center's research and things we can do to safeguard our children's environmental health and justice (CEHJ).
Over 626 individuals attended the event. The CCCEH COTC Coordinator spoke with over 45 individuals
all eager to learn about CEHJ. In just a few hours materials were completely distributed, and the happy, though hoarse, COTC Coordinator was thrilled to have successfully connected with the community.
We would like to express our gratitude to CCCEH's, COTC Community Advisory and Stakeholder Board (CASB) member, Lizzi Sofge for ensuring the flow of colleagues, friends and educators to the CCCEH table to help line up future educational sessions with District 5 schools and programs.
Thanks Lizzi!
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Lizzi Sofge, CASB Member & Maricela Ureño, CCCEH COTC | | |
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We recently participated in National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week alongside our partners: the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the New York Public Library at Inwood. This initiative is part of New York City's campaign, "Taking the Lead on Lead."
It is encouraging to note that childhood lead exposure in New York City has been reduced by 93% since 2005. This achievement is a result of ongoing education, and partnerships with the community, public health institutions, and regulatory agencies. An informed and engaged public matters, regulations, and their enforcement matter. This is the work of public health - with and for the people.
A huge thank you to our CU students, Chia-Yi, (Julia) Li from the Environmental Health Science Department, for coming out during her busy midterms week and bringing along her roommate CU School of Nursing recent graduate, Liana Giglio to assist in the Center's outreach work.
We extend our gratitude to Danita Nichols from the NY Public Library at Inwood, a member of CCCEH's COTC CASB, for graciously hosting this event.
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Additionally, we would like to express our gratitude to Paromita Hore, PhD, MPH, from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, for taking the time to present "Lead in Consumer Products: Insights from New York City Surveillance Data" at the CU MSPH EHS - Environmental Health Science Seminar.
Want to know more about lead poisoning prevention in New York City?
Visit www.nyc.gov/lead and www.nyc.gov/hazardousproducts
Thanks Paromita, Lizar, & Charlene!
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We enjoyed a celebratory evening at the WE ACT for Environmental Justice Gala. It was a wonderful night filled with inspiration, reconnecting with old friends and sharing ideas to advance environmental health and justice.
A big thank you to Peggy Shephard and the WE ACT staff for their dedication and leadership in protecting Northern Manhattan communities and beyond.
A special thank you to Dr. David Evans, Professor Emeritus at Columbia University, Sociomedical Sciences and former CCCEH COTC Director, for inviting the CCCEH staff and our partners from the New York State Attorney General's Office to the celebration.
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Help us create a world in which every child has a healthy start.
The Center’s research is powering action to reduce the impacts of climate change, air pollution, and toxic chemicals on children and families.
Your support is yielding both immediate and long-term benefits to children’s health today and in the future. Your gift will protect the gains that we have achieved together.
We hope you will make a tax-free gift donation to the Center in order to continue this important work.
With Gratitude
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Julie Herbstman, PhD
Director, Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
Frederica P. Perera, DrPH, PhD
Director of Translational Research and Founding Director
Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
mailman.columbia.edu/ccceh
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