As healthcare workers in South Florida, we are witnesses and first responders to the direct toll of climate change today. The compounding effects of climate change are not a distant threat but a present reality that is reshaping the future of our profession and demanding more from us than ever before.
“By 2050, climate change is likely to cause an additional 14.5 million deaths and $12.5 trillion in economic losses worldwide, according to a new World Economic Forum report on the impact of global warming on health.”
https://www.weforum.org/publications/quantifying-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-human-health
Some of the most impactful effects will result from the increased spread of climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria and dengue, as well as an increase in flood and drought-related mortality.
Climate change-induced disasters and environmental degradation can also take a toll on mental health. The loss of homes, livelihoods, and communities due to natural disasters can cause psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Let’s do our part as a credible voice to speak up for environmental justice and care for the health of our climate today and every single day!
Please stop by and see our Climate Committee today, Monday, 4/22, in front of DTC at JMH until 2:00 p.m. for their annual Earth Day event.
If you want information on how to join our Climate Committee, please contact Caitlin MacLaren, RN, at union@seiu1991.org.
