News Release
For Immediate Release: April 8, 2008
Contact Person: Kendra Todd, 301-334-7730
Public Health Week Theme Set:
Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance
National Public Health Week will be celebrated across the U.S. from April 7-13, 2008.
The theme this year is Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance. " Climate change has a direct connection to all of us, in the most personal way," reported Health Officer, Rodney Glotfelty. "It has, and will have, real consequences for the health of our communities, our families and our children."
In recent years, the laundry list of health issues that are growing more problematic as a result of increased climate change is long - heat stroke and hypothermia, asthma, cardiovascular and pulmonary illness, gastrointestinal illnesses due to water contamination, and the list goes on. The most vulnerable members of our population - the poor, the chronically ill, the elderly, the disabled and the uninsured - are most affected by the health impacts of climate change.
The good news is that there are actions that individuals, organizations and businesses can take to reduce the impact of climate change over time. The following are a few recommended by the earthdaynetwork ( www.earthday.net ):
- Change your light bulbs. As old light bulbs burn out, replace them with the ENERGY STAR label bulbs. Five ENERGY STAR light bulbs will save your household at least $150 over their lifetime.
- Drive your car differently or drive a different car. An average SUV emits as much CO 2 as some homes. Buying a fuel-efficient car isn't something that everyone can do, so try to drive less. Combine errands into one trip. Walk when you can. Get your car tuned up regularly. Slow down. Don't race your car's engine.
- Start at home. 42% of your household energy costs go toward heating and cooling. Have your heating and cooling system serviced annually. Clean vents, close unused vents, and change filters in the vents. Add 2° to the AC thermostat in the summer and take 2° away in the winter. Make sure windows and doors are sealed.
- Tame the refrigerator monster! It is the biggest consumer of electricity among household appliances and is responsible for 10-15% of the electricity you use each year. Older refrigerators are as much as 50% less efficient. If buying a new refrigerator isn't in the cards for you, lower the temperature by 1°. Clean the condenser coil. This simple measure can reduce your annual energy costs by $20.
- Be more efficient with other household appliances. The other big users of energy in your household are your hot water heater, your washer and dryer, and your dishwasher. Turn the hot water heater down to 120°. Wash some dishes by hand. Don't pre-rinse dishes. Detergents are powerful enough to do the job. Wait until you have a full load to run the dishwasher. Wash clothes in warm water, not hot. 90% of the energy used in operating a washing machine goes toward heating the water. Don't overdry your clothes and hang them to dry when possible.
- Go organic. Buy organic. Eat locally grown food (the food doesn't have to travel far so there's less CO 2 emitted from the trucks that ship it). Eat fruits and vegetables in season. Again, that saves the enormous transportation costs. Plant your own vegetable garden.
- Buy recycled and recycle what you can.
- Be a minimalist. Buy in bulk (less packaging). Try not to buy what you don't need (Do you really need 57 pairs of shoes?). Buy quality products that will last longer. Go through your closet and donate or recycle what you don't need.
Individuals can make a difference in their climate through the choices they make and by leading lifestyles that are healthy for them, their communities, and the climate. For more information about climate change or Public Health Week contact the Garrett County Health Department at 334-7730 or 895-3111.
Cutline: AmeriCorps Members Recycle by the Truckload - Pictured above are AmeriCorps Members Hana Smith and Heather Lander atop a truckload of paper that is headed to the recycling bins at the Garrett County Landfill. The Garrett County Health Department has recycled over 4 tons of office paper this fiscal year as they have converted from paper charts to electronic charts. "We're really proud that we have recycled so much paper this year," reported AmeriCorps member Hana Smith, "but we know that the more environmentally-friendly thing to do is to use less paper. That's one of the goals of converting to electronic charts." In honor of National Public Health Week from April 7-13, staff at the Garrett County Health Department will be promoting the theme "Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance" through a variety of activities both within the agency and in the community. If you would like more information about how to make your household, business, or organization become more environmentally-friendly, call the Health Department at 301-334-7730.