Taking Ohio's Temperature: Assessing Local Health Impacts of Climate Change. A panel discussion presented by Health Science Frontiers.
NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced that 2014 was globally among the top three warmest years since recordkeeping began. However, what does this change in global climate mean locally for Ohio and Ohioans in the long-term?
According to 2014 US National Climate Assessment, Ohio is likely to experience more extreme heatwaves, increased heavy rain downpours, and flooding that will significantly worsen both local air and water quality. Climate change will also likely worsen existing environmental problems to harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie.
How will these environmental changes impact human health in Ohio?
Scientists and health experts warn that lower air quality may worsen asthma and increase respiratory diseases and infections. Lower water quality may also boost rates of infectious insect and water-borne diseases. Drinking water supplies may also be threatened, as recently happened in Toledo last year, as toxic algal blooms occurring in Lake Erie and inland water reservoirs occur more frequently.
So how do we adapt to these new climate conditions? What health precautions do we need to take? How do we communicate and educate Ohioans about these health risks?
Join us for a public conversation on these topics and more with a panel of local and national health, risk, and climate experts, at the WOSU@COSI studios from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Panelists:
Edward Maibach, Professor and Director of the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University
David Bromwich, Professor of Geography and Senior Research Scientist at Ohio State's Byrd Polar Research Center
Jeffrey Reutter, Director, OSU Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory
Richard Hicks, Director, Office of Health Planning at Columbus Public Health
The panel will be moderated by a WOSU journalist. The event is free and open to the general public with seating beginning at 6:30pm.
Attendees will be able to participate in the panel discussion during the Q&A session. Free parking vouchers will be distributed at the event.
RSVP to science_forum@osu.edu by February 18, 2015.
Health Science Frontiers is funded by a generous grant from the Ohio State University Office of Outreach & Engagement and by the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital. It is organized in partnership between Ohio State's School of Communication, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, WOSU@COSI, and the Center of Science & Industry.
This project is directed by Erik C. Nisbet, assistant professor,The Ohio State University School of Communication. He can be reached at nisbet.5@osu.edu
