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As climate change intensifies, doctors and other medical professionals are revamping treatments and training to address emerging health threats linked to environmental factors.
Recent wildfires in Southern California have exposed residents to toxins from burning urban materials, raising concerns about long-term health effects.
Medical institutions like the University of Southern California's CLIMA Center are integrating environmental data into patient care to better understand and treat climate-related health issues.
Programs at universities such as the University of Colorado and Harvard are training "climate doctors" to lead in addressing health impacts of global warming.
Key quote:
"We need to train experts who can handle these situations, who can talk to the environment people, but also talk to the health people, but also talk to the public and policymakers on what to do in these situations."
— Dr. Rima Habre, Director of USC's CLIMA Center
Why this matters:
The health impacts of climate change — ranging from respiratory issues due to polluted air to the spread of vector-borne diseases — are becoming more prevalent. Medical professionals are also considering the environmental impact of treatments, and promoting "green prescribing" where lifestyle changes are recommended to benefit both patient health and the planet.
Recent studies reveal that while overall public confidence in scientific institutions has slightly rebounded since the pandemic, political divisions have deepened, with Democrats exhibiting higher trust levels than Republicans.
Despite initial concerns, research indicates that attacks on science during Trump's first term did not significantly erode public trust; some segments even reported increased confidence.
Surveys show a widening partisan divide: Democrats' trust in science remains high, whereas Republican confidence has notably decreased, especially post-pandemic.
Experts warn that political and economic entities are exploiting scientific topics, such as climate change, to advance their agendas, potentially fostering further mistrust.
Key quote:
"Republican politicians have successfully mobilized the conspiracy and resistance to scientists — and not just scientists, but government agencies that represent science and medicine and nutrition.”
— Rod Abhari, Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University
Why this matters:
Rebuilding public trust in science will require a multifaceted approach. Scientists and health officials could benefit from transparent communication, acknowledging uncertainties while clearly conveying consensus where it exists. Efforts to depoliticize science are important in ensuring that research and policy decisions are guided by empirical evidence rather than partisan agendas.
In a swift and unprecedented move, the Trump administration has disrupted the longstanding partnership between the U.S. government and the scientific community, jeopardizing decades of research and innovation.
The administration has frozen research funds, halted health communications, erased decades of health data from federal websites, and terminated numerous federally funded studies.
Executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have led researchers to remove specific terms from their work to comply with new regulations.
Mass layoffs of federal scientists and staff have begun, with thousands expected to lose their positions, severely impacting the nation's research capabilities.
Key quote:
"Everyone is in a panic right now. And when researchers don't know what they're allowed to do, science is not going to get done."
— Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, Director of Health for St. Louis, Missouri
Why this matters:
The environmental and health implications of these actions are far-reaching. The dismantling of research infrastructure impedes progress on pressing issues such as climate change, infectious diseases, and public health disparities. Without robust scientific inquiry and data, policymakers are left navigating these challenges in the dark. This upheaval not only endangers current research but also sets a dangerous precedent for political interference in scientific inquiry, potentially compromising health outcomes and innovation for years to come.
For over 40 years, the Florin farmers market in Sacramento has provided affordable produce to the local community, with vendors intentionally setting lower prices to meet residents' needs.
The Florin farmers market in Sacramento has been providing affordable produce for decades, with vendors setting lower prices to support the community.
Around 40% of Sacramento households depend on California's food assistance program, highlighting the importance of accessible fresh produce.
Local food initiatives, such as farmers markets and community gardens, play a crucial role in promoting plant-based diets, which can significantly reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Key quote:
"What we eat and how it was produced matter more for the climate than how far it travels."
— Brent Kim, researcher at Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
Why this matters:
Projects such as community gardens and farmers markets not only make sustainable eating habits more accessible but also tackle local challenges head-on. By enhancing food access and affordability, they empower communities to make healthier choices that benefit both their well-being and the planet. This initiative, along with others, is transforming food deserts into hubs of fresh, organic produce, promoting healthier eating habits and community empowerment.
The Plock of Kyle in Scotland, once a neglected golf course, now flourishes with diverse ecosystems, including wildflower meadows and peat bogs, supporting species like otters and dragonflies.
In California, the Trust for Public Land converted the San Geronimo Golf Course into a public park, restoring habitats for endangered coho salmon and creating recreational spaces for the community.
This rewilding trend addresses environmental concerns associated with golf courses, such as excessive water use and habitat destruction, by repurposing the land for conservation and public enjoyment.
Key quote:
"Certainly, some of the key environmental concerns with golf over time have involved pesticide spraying, the quantity of water used, especially in times of drought, and the significant amount of land sometimes needed for a golf course."
— Brad Millington, co-author of The Greening of Golf
Why this matters:
This rewilding movement tackles environmental drawbacks traditionally associated with golf courses. Repurposing golf courses into natural habitats not only conserves biodiversity and reduces sources of pesticide contamination, but also provides accessible green spaces, promoting physical and mental health for local communities.
In the UK, supermarkets have transformed shopping habits by offering trendy, affordable homeware alongside groceries, but this convenience comes with hidden ethical and environmental costs.
Major UK supermarkets like Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco now feature aisles filled with stylish, low-cost homeware items, making it easy for shoppers to purchase home goods during routine grocery trips.
This surge in accessible homeware has led to increased consumerism, with many buying items on impulse without considering the environmental impact or the working conditions of factory employees producing these goods.
Industry insiders reveal that the fast homeware trend often involves mass production in factories where workers face challenging conditions and independent designers frequently find their creations replicated without consent.
Key quote:
"Somehow we need to slow down. We need to start thinking...thinking about why you're buying something, where it has come from and who has made it."
— Helen Gordon, co-founder of Nested Living and member of the British Institute of Interior Design's sustainability committee.
Why this matters:
The rise of fast homeware mirrors the fast fashion industry's issues, contributing to toxic pollution, environmental degradation and unethical labor practices. Opting for ethically produced, durable items not only supports fair labor practices but also promotes environmental sustainability.
A new wave of tiny, densely planted forests is spreading through cities worldwide, helping to combat pollution, restore biodiversity, and create much-needed green spaces for urban dwellers.
Inspired by the Miyawaki Forest Technique, micro-forests are compact, fast-growing ecosystems planted in urban spaces, offering a local solution to global deforestation.
These forests improve air and water quality, reduce urban heat, and support wildlife, making cities more livable while fostering human connection.
Despite challenges like pollution and drought, organizations such as SUGi and Earthwatch Europe are successfully planting micro-forests in schools, parks, and even metro stations, proving that small-scale reforestation is possible.
Key quote:
“They become magnets for human connection... at a much deeper level, community members become stewards of the land itself.”
— Elise Van Middelem, Founder and CEO of SUGi
Why this matters:
Micro-forests offer a natural antidote to pollution, heat, and the creeping disconnect between humans and nature. Studies show these tiny forests improve mental health, reduce stress, and even boost local biodiversity in a way that manicured parks can't match. As climate change intensifies, urban forests are proving that even the smallest green spaces can offer sanctuary — for wildlife and for us.
Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.
