Climate and Health Resources: GEORGIA v>EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Climate change poses risks to human health. Already in the United States, we are seeing rising temperatures, increased frequency and intensity of some types of extreme weather, sea level rise, and other changes in weather and climate patterns. We are all vulnerable to the health impacts associated with climate change. However, these climate and health risks vary across the country. In Georgia, sea level is rising about one inch every decade. This and other climate impacts, like more very hot days, mean increasing risks to health. Examples of risks and actions for Georgia residents include: - Higher temperatures will increase heat-related illnesses, hospital visits, and deaths. In Atlanta and other large cities, the urban heat island effect will make heat events worse. Learn how you can take action to protect against heat waves, such as: o Respond Drink plenty of water. o Respond Watch for signs of dehydration and overheating, especially in children. - Higher temperatures and other weather changes will increase levels of ozone pollution (a component of smog), increasing health risks like asthma-related hospital visits. Learn how you can take action to protect against poor air quality, such as: o Prepare: Check news or airnow.gov for the local air quality index, o Respond Reduce outdoor activity when pollution levels are high. - Increasing levels of harmful algae and bacteria may make eating fish and shellfish less safe. These contaminants cause infections or stomach illnesses. Learn how you can take action to ensure food safety, such as: o Prepare: Check for health department notices before fishing or harvesting shellfish, o Respond Keep seafood chilled to less than 38°F. Discard any perishable food if your refrigerator has lost power for longer than four hours. Learn more in the USGCRP Climate and Health Assessment The examples of risks and actions provided in this document are not a comprehensive list. They provide users with illustrative impacts and resources for further information. Examples were selected based on relevance to the state or region and representation of a diversity of health threats. Selection does not imply ranking of severity of impacts nor prioritization of actions. The examples of impacts are based on "The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment," available at https://health2016.globalchange.gov, as well as the National Climate Assessment at http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/ June 2016 ------- RESOURCES FOR GEORGIA RESIDENTS Resource Topic Information Source Climate Change Impacts Learn more: What Climate Change Means for Georgia U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Learn more: National Climate Assessment: Southeast U.S. Global Change Research Program. 2014. Find Resources: EPA Region 4 (Southeast) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Public Health Information Find Resources: Georgia Department of Public Health State of Georgia Find Resources: Georgia Emergency Management Agency State of Georgia June 2016 ------- |