Climate and Health Resources: DELAWARE 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. Delaware has warmed 2°F in the last century and the sea is rising about one inch every seven years. These and other climate impacts mean increasing risks to health. Examples of risks and actions for Delaware residents include: - 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. - Extreme weather events can disrupt infrastructure (damage to roads, bridges, or utilities). For example, a heat wave contributed to the 2003 Northeast blackout. Power outages have been linked to increased injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Learn how you can take action to manage infrastructure disruptions, such as: o Respond: Avoid fallen power lines. o Respond: Keep power generators outside to avoid fire and carbon monoxide risks. - Longer warm seasons mean that ticks that carry Lyme disease will emerge earlier in the season and will move north into new areas. Learn how you can take action to protect against ticks, such as: o Respond: Check for and remove ticks promptly after coming indoors. Remember that pets may bring ticks into the house, o Respond: Wear protective clothing (such as high boots and long sleeves and pants), and consider using insect repellent. 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 DELAWARE RESIDENTS Resource Topic Information Source Climate Change Impacts Learn more: What Climate Change Means for Delaware U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Learn more: National Climate Assessment: Northeast U.S. Global Change Research Program. 2014. Explore Actions: Climate Framework for Delaware, 2014 Includes Health Concerns for: Coastal Flooding, Inland Flooding, Extreme Heat State of Delaware Explore Actions: Preparing for Tomorrow's High Tide: Recommendations for Adapting to Sea Level Rise in Delaware Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. August 2013. Explore Actions: The Citv of Lewes, Delaware Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Action Plan Citv of Lewes, Delaware Sea Grant, ICLEI -Local Governments for Sustainabilitv. June 2011. Find Resources: EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Public Health Information Find Resources: Delaware Health and Social Services State of Delaware Find Resources: Delaware Emergency Management Agency State of Delaware June 2016 ------- |