[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5443]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                CLIMATE CHANGE PUTS OUR HEALTH AT RISK!

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                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 8, 2008

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker and colleagues, last month news agencies 
around the world reported that more than 160 square miles of the 
Wilkins Shelf had broken away from the Antarctic coast. Americans are 
concerned that climate change may be happening faster than previously 
thought. We are growing increasingly concerned as we see before us the 
direct connection between climate change and our health.
  It is now indisputable that there is a direct connection between 
climate change and health. The scientific community has decisively 
stated that human beings are responsible for climate change and that 
the impacts of climate change will worsen as emissions continue to 
rise. We must support and promote policies that strengthen public 
health leadership and work force capacity to ensure the infrastructure 
is in place and ready to handle our future needs.
  The time has come to accept responsibility for how our lifestyles 
have contributed to climate change and vow to be part of the solution. 
We must work to learn more about how what happens in our home, 
community and workplace has global impact.
  There are many little things we all can do to make a big difference. 
We can: Prepare for climate change-related emergencies and be informed 
about the health impacts of climate change and regional climate change 
issues facing our community. Leave the car at home and use public 
transportation, carpool, walk, bike, or telecommute. Eat less meat and 
buy local produce from our community farmers market. Use recycled 
paper, print less, use energy saving computer settings and green our 
office. Seal and insulate our homes, reduce, reuse, recycle and use 
water efficiently. We should know that we are all in this together. For 
over a decade, the first full week in April has been National Public 
Health Week. 50,000 members of the American Public Health Association 
and its affiliates, across the Nation are speaking out this week on 
climate change and health. That's because when it comes to climate 
change, our health is in the balance.

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