WaterWired

Climate Change — A Health Emergency: Hydrophilanthropy, Ethics and Time for WaterWonks to Join Health-Care Professionals

This post did not turn out the way I thought it would. Better!

Read on...but beware: stream-of-consciousness alert!

On 23 January 2019 the WBUR-produced NPR show On Point had a great discussion on the public health emergency aspects of climate change. They are not en route; they are here and they will get worse. We WaterWonks tend to think in terms of floods, sea-level rise, droughts, mudslides, etc., but it is more than those..

The discussion was chilling, but I also found it enlightening and inspiring.

The show started with some introdcutory material and a commentary from the New England Journal of Medicine that introduced the major NEJM paper and also served as a 'call to action'.

Here is the commentary paper by Drs. Caren G. Solomon and Regina C. LaRocque, Climate Change - A Health Emergency

Download Nejmp1817067

Introduction
As the Camp wildfire spread rapidly in California in early November 2018, the University of California, Davis, Burn Center received a call that nearby Feather City Hospital was on fire and patients were being urgently transferred. That, recalls David Greenhalgh, professor and chief of the Burn Division, UC Davis Department of Surgery, was when the chaos began. Within the next 24 hours, with fires raging, 12 new burn patients were rushed to his facility (which usually admits 1 or 2 patients in a given day). The most severely injured man had burns over nearly half his body, with exposed bone and tendon; a month later, he and two other patients remained hospitalized, facing repeated surgeries. And these were the patients fortunate enough to have made it to the hospital. At least 85 people died and nearly 14,000 homes were lost in what is the largest California wildfire on record — a record that unfortunately is likely to be short-lived.

In this issue of the Journal, Haines and Ebi summarize the devastating effects that the global burning of fossil fuels is having on our planet (pages 263–273). Disruption of our climate system, once a theoretical concern, is now occurring in plain view — with a growing human toll brought by powerful storms, flooding, droughts, wildfires, and rising numbers of insectborne diseases. Psychological stress, political instability, forced migration, and conflict are other unsettling consequences. In addition, particulate air pollutants released by burning fossil fuels are shortening human life in many regions of the world. These effects of climate disruption are fundamentally health issues, and they pose existential risks to all of us. People who are sick or poor will suffer the most.

The last paragraph:

We, like others, are frightened by the unfolding climate crisis, with its implications for the health of our communities and the future of our children. Rather than being paralyzed by despair, we choose to focus our efforts on areas where our voices are most powerful — for instance, by working with medical students on climate action, supporting the undergraduate divestment movement, joining forces with like-minded health professionals, and speaking with our legislators. There are currently more than a million physicians in the United States, and our actions matter. When the next generation asks us, “What did you do about climate change?,” we want to have a good answer.

That last paragraph really struck me. More than 1M physicians in the USA, plus all the other health-care professionals? (over 13M according to one site). What a large cogent group that would make legislators take notice. 

What if the climate scientists and WaterWonks joined the HCPs? Think about it.

Here is the main event:

The Imperative for Climate Action to Protect Health, by Andy Haines and Kristie Ebi, NEJM, N Engl J Med 2019; 380:263-273
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra1807873  Note: click on the title to access a PDF of the article or download it here: Download NEJMra1807873

Introduction
Climate change is already adversely affecting human health and health systems, and projected climate change is expected to alter the geographic range and burden of a variety of climate-sensitive health outcomes and to affect the functioning of public health and health care systems. If no additional actions are taken, then over the coming decades, substantial increases in morbidity and mortality are expected in association with a range of health outcomes, including heat-related illnesses, illnesses caused by poor air quality, undernutrition from reduced food quality and security, and selected vectorborne diseases in some locations; at the same time, worker productivity is expected to decrease, particularly at low latitudes. Vulnerable populations and regions will be differentially affected, with expected increases in poverty and inequities as a consequence of climate change. Investments in and policies to promote proactive and effective adaptation and reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions (mitigation) would decrease the magnitude and pattern of health risks, particularly in the medium-to-long term.

Cutting to the chase...

Conclusions
Climate change is causing injuries, illnesses, and deaths, with the risks projected to increase substantially with additional climate change, threatening the health of many millions of people if there are not rapid increases in investments in adaptation and mitigation. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report makes a powerful case for “rapid and far-reaching” transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings, transportation, and cities, with the aim of limiting global warming to 1.5°C by reducing global net human-related emissions of carbon dioxide by approximately 45% from 2010 levels by 2030. This would reduce the risks of exceeding critical thresholds damaging to natural systems and human societies while providing more time for adaptation.

Health professionals have leading roles to play in addressing climate change. They can support health systems in developing effective adaptation to reduce the health risks of climate change, promote healthy behaviors and policies with low environmental impact, support intersectoral action to reduce the environmental footprint of society in general and the health care system specifically, and undertake research and education on climate change and health. The pervasive threats to health posed by climate change demand decisive actions from health professionals and governments to protect the health of current and future generations.

I like the fact that the physicians (especially) and other HCPs see this as their ethical responsibility. This is especially true when you realize that the sick and impoverished are going to 'feel the pain' far more than those of us with greater economic resources.

We WaterWonks should see this through the same lens - to do what's right, and help those in need and indeed, all of humanity and the natural environment. Call it hydrophilanthropy if you want to. But call it worth undertaking.

Enjoy!

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.” - African proverb

Science Talk '19: Be There or Be Uncommunicative!

 

My new BFF, scientist and science communicator extraordinaire, Steve Sobiezczyk, is one of the movers and shakers (or is it 'shovers and makers'?) of SCIENCE TALK '19

 

Steve, who will be addressing the OSU GEM Seminar on 1 February (public welcomed), sent me this blurb about the conference. 

If you are as passionate about science as I am, then I'd recommend checking out the SCIENCE TALK ’19 conference in Portland on 4-5 April. It's a great venue for you to connect with other science communication professionals. This two-day, hands-on conference has numerous workshops, panels, presentations, and keynote presenters – including YouTube's "Physics Girl," Dianna Cowern and Maryam Zaringhalam (Story Collider/AAAS/500 Women Scientists). Opening remarks will be made by Joe Palca (NPR, Joe's Big Idea). We can't forget facts matter. This event is a good place to learn the best way to present those facts so that others can better appreciate them. I'm planning on going, hope to see you there!

 

The early-bird registration deadline has been extended to 15 February - click here to register.

Here is a travel grant application: Download St2019_travel_grant_application

 

I am planning on attending, too. I have learned the importance of communicating science to all, especially non-scientists, and trying to do better. 

 

Important work these days!

"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." - George Bernard Shaw

Cynthia, Christmas & Civics: Environmental Civics at the University of Florida

It's always a good time to think about water ethics but it seems especially apropos this time of year when thoughts turn to goodwill towards all our sisters and brothers. Time for good cheer, too.

And environmental civics?

Check out this email from friend and journalist extraordinaire Cynthia Barnett (who is working on her seashell book):

I realized I should write you about one thing I'm doing at UF that I'm very excited about, which is joining a team of water scientists to inspire and train their incoming PhD cohort in the art of what we're calling Environmental Civics -- ie the kinds of things you're good at: telling the story of water, how to reach out to lawmakers and policy-makers, giving TED talks, writing op-eds and the like. There has been a lot of talk at UF about making this part of science PhD training, but this cohort will be the first time it's truly written into the mission. I thought you'd be particularly interested in this and if you want to know more about the cohort, which is devoted to high-latitude hydrology, the announcement is here.

 

Of course if you have any students you think would like to work with someone like me as they study water science, send them my way and I can introduce them to any of the scientists they're interested in. deadline is 16 January.

 

From the website:

Environmental civics: Communications skills and civic engagement and outreach will be a key element of each student’s program and figure prominently in the experience. Each student will:

1. Take two courses among several in these areas offered at UF, one in science/environmental communication for general audiences and another in leadership training, to develop core competencies in translating science to the general public, stakeholders and decision-makers;
2. Complete a civic engagement activity such as service to Greenlandic communities, provide testimony at public hearings, take a policy maker to the field, or another activity of the students’ design that will help build students' capacity for public engagement and thought leadership;
3. Complete an environmental civics product as part of their portfolio that could include traditional or innovative approaches such as a science-policy white paper; an article for general readers; a TED talk; or a short documentary film on the student’s area of research.

Get in touch with Cynthia: cynthiabarnett@gmail.com.

We need to expand this beyond just the PhD level. 

Enjoy!

“I’m just trying to do my part to save the world.” - J. Cornell MIchel

National Academies Report: 'Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine'

New report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine:

Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

You can download a free PDF, purchase an e-book or a hard copy at this site: click here.

You can also download a PDF below:

Download NRC_Sexual_Harassment_of_Women

Preface 

Throughout our careers we have worked to encourage women to pursue their interests and capabilities in science, engineering, and medicine. And we aredelighted with the continual increase in the percentage of women in these elds.We have also worked to ensure a welcoming and safe environment in academia for women students, faculty, and staff. We believe that universities have a spe- cial responsibility to provide a welcoming and effective environment for women students. We believe that this report focuses on the issues that must be addressedfor our communities to take the next step.

Preventing and effectively addressing sexual harassment of women in colleges and universities has remained a challenge for decades, but over that timea strong research base has been developed that reveals the true nature of sexualharassment and its impacts on women’s careers—and also reveals what can be done to successfully address it. The Committee on Women in Science, Engineer-ing, and Medicine developed the idea for this study on the Impacts of SexualHarassment in Academia more than 2 years ago, and proposed that a specialstudy committee be appointed to examine the research on sexual harassmentto determine what could be done to prevent it in academic settings in science, engineering, and medicine.

With this charge, our study committee of distinguished scientists, engineers,and physicians, and experts in sexual harassment research, legal studies, andpsychology held a series of workshops and undertook a deep analysis of the literature to gather information for our study and to simultaneously help informthe broader community about the problem of sexual harassment. Over the courseof the study, which was launched in late 2016, the topic rose in prominence inthe national discourse, most signi cantly with the rise of the #MeToo movement, which dramatically increased awareness of how many women have experienced sexual harassment and what these sexual harassment experiences looked like inthe real world.

Through our work it became clear that sexual harassment is a serious issuefor women at all levels in academic science, engineering, and medicine, and thatthese elds share characteristics that create conditions that make harassment morelikely to occur. Such environments can silence and limit the career opportunitiesin the short and long terms for both the targets of the sexual harassment and the bystanders—with at least some leaving their eld. The consequence of this is a significant and costly loss of talent in science, engineering, and medicine.

However, we are encouraged by the research that suggests that the mostpotent predictor of sexual harassment is organizational climate—the degree to which those in the organization perceive that sexual harassment is or is not tolerated. This means that institutions can take concrete steps to reduce sexualharassment by making systemwide changes that demonstrate how seriously theytake this issue and that re ect that they are listening to those who courageously speak up to report their sexual harassment experiences.

Because of the strength of the research, we are optimistic that academic institutions (campuswide as well as within schools, programs, and departments)can meet the challenge of reducing and preventing sexual harassment, and caneven lead other industry sectors in addressing this issue. Ultimately, success in addressing this challenge will require committed leadership, hard work, initiative,and nancial investment from administrators at every level within academia, aswell as support, cooperation, and work from all members of our nation’s college campuses—students, faculty, and staff. We call on our fellow leaders and all the members of our campus communities to take on the responsibility for promot-ing a civil and respectful environment that prevents sexual harassment fromoccurring and creates a healthier environment for all people working in science, engineering, and medicine—and indeed in all academic disciplines. Eliminatingsexual harassment is everyone’s responsibility, and the time to act is now. Webelieve this report offers strong guidance for such action.

Paula A. Johnson and Sheila Widnall, Co-Chairs, Committee on the Impacts of Sexual Harassment in Academia

Thanks to Julia Jones for sending this my way and our CEOAS Dean, Roberta Marinelli, for serving on the committee that wrote the report.

Enjoy - important work!

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."- Frederick Douglass

Kathy Robb Essay: 'On The Heads of Women'

I just met Kathy Robb a few hours ago albeit via phone. We were preparing for her AWRA webinar, Groundwater Discharges and Clean Water Act Compliance, that she and colleague Marcia Greenblatt will present on 19 September (more on that later). Kathy is an attorney and principal in the New York City law firm of Sive, Paget and Riesel, P.C.  

She saw a picture of me with my 'Got Water' T-shirt and when I told her what was on the back that prompted her to send me an essay 'On the Heads of Women', she wrote as a chapter for the book, Written in Water, edited by Irena Salina.    

 Here is the blurb preceding her chapter (written in 2010):

 Kathy Robb became interested in environmental issues as a child, while ridingin the backseat of the family station wagon out west. A partner with Hunton & Williams in New York, she focuses exclusively on environmental law, includinglitigation in federal district and appellate courts and advice on regulations,compliance, and environmental risks. She works on water issues under the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Natural Environmental Policy Act, water-related Superfund sites with PCBs and other contaminationin sediments and groundwater, representing clients that include waterdistricts, developers, electric utilities, energy companies, investors, lenders,chemical manufacturers, and paper mills. She founded and directs the WaterPolicy Institute, which seeks innovative, sustainable solutions to water supplyand quality issues. Robb is co-founder and chair of the Women’s Network for a Sustainable Future, a nonprofit organization advancing sustainability, and a board member of the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C.

 Download her chapter here:

Download KR Essay WIW-c

 The first few paragraphs:

A girl awakes; washes her hands and face with warm, clean water running from the tap in her bathroom; dresses; grabs breakfast; brushes her teeth with cold, clean water from the same tap; flings her books and papers into a satchel that her mother worries is too heavy for her light and growing frame; and races out the door to the bus.

Another girl awakes, splashes cold water from a basin onto her face, grabs breakfast, and takes a large, empty container from the corner as she races out the door to join some other girls and start walking the six miles to her destination.

The first girl, my own daughter, is an American and lives in New York City. Every day she enjoys—without giving it a second thought, in the same way she breathes the air or assumes that she will have Internet access on demand—delicious water at the temperature of her choice from taps at home, at school, in museums, in public bathrooms, and in the pizza place around the corner.

The second girl lives in Africa but could be from any number of other places in the world today where there is no water service. She is the water service. And because she must walk more than six miles each way and stand in line for a couple of hours to bring water to her community, she does not go to school.

You'll enjoy her 8-page essay. She tells it like it is. .

As I mentioned above Kathy and Marcia Greenblatt a PhD engineer with Integral Consulting, Inc., will present the webinar Groundwater Discharges and Clean Water Act Compliance on 19 September from 1 - 2 PM EDT. It's free for AWRA members and $25 for others. You can register here.  They will also moderate a panel session on the same topic at the upcoming AWRA Annual Conference in Baltimore. It is Session 61 at 1:30 PM on 8 November. Register for the conference here. 

"It is estimated that in India alone, women spend 150 million workdays per year
fetching water, equal to a national loss of income of 10 billion rupees ($217,000,000)" - Kathy Robb