The Guardian has recreated a searchable climate future risk tool developed by FEMA, which was later deleted. It was the first free, localized resource showing how much climate change impacts will cost American communities. Drawing data from across federal government agencies, the index has county-by-county information on projected annual losses this century from threats including extreme heat, coastal flooding, wildfires, hurricanes and drought, all of which are worsened by human-caused global heating. Each county was also given an overall risk rating, which ranked how vulnerable its particular population is to climate shocks. Such information is crucial for planning by local governments, insurers, utilities and others that look to FEMA to help contend with a growing list of disasters now affecting American communities.

This guide offers parents and caregivers practical strategies to support children's mental health and resilience amid the challenges posed by climate change. Build a trusted circle of support around you — family, friends, neighbors, colleagues — to bolster your own resilience and expand the safety net for your child. Seek mental health support when needed to reduce stress and anxiety. Access community services to help with practical needs (e.g., financial support, housing, food assistance, etc.) to let you focus on supporting your child. For younger children: They need guidance on understanding climate change, managing fears, and finding hope. For older children (8+) and teens: They need you to listen without judgment, to have honest conversations about their worries, and support for taking action. Be open to meaningful conversations; listen to your child’s concerns. Avoid dismissing their worries — ask them to name their emotions, then acknowledge and validate them. Show empathy and offer reassurance to help them process their emotions.

Since 2018, the Climate Advocacy Lab has distributed Climate Justice Microgrants to 25 environmental justice and climate justice organizations around the United States who are doing powerful work to protect and improve their communities.

The National Academy of Medicine has initiated the Action Collaborative on Decarbonizing the U.S. Health Sector to address the significant environmental impact of healthcare operations. This collaborative unites experts and stakeholders to develop and implement strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the health industry. Key objectives include identifying best practices, setting measurable decarbonization goals, and promoting sustainable operations across healthcare facilities. By focusing on these areas, the initiative seeks to enhance public health outcomes while actively mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

The health sector, whose mission is protecting and promoting health, makes a major contribution to the climate crisis — the greatest health threat of the 21st century — and therefore has an important role to play in resolving it. Health care’s climate footprint is equivalent to 4.4% of global net emissions (2 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent). The global health care climate footprint is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 514 coal-fired power plants. If the health sector were a country, it would be the fifth-largest emitter on the planet. Health investment and policy must be retooled to support decarbonization. If the health sector — individual health facilities, health systems, ministries of health, international and bilateral development agencies, and private health care organizations — all take action toward this goal, it can be achieved. If health care development, growth, and investment can align with global climate goals, the 10% of the world economy that health care represents, together with its political influence at every level of government, can help provide leadership for a low-carbon, climate-smart, more equitable, and healthier future.

Voters haven’t heard much about PFAS, but express deep concerns after learning about them. Voters are particularly concerned about PFAS exposure through drinking water, and overwhelmingly support new EPA standards to limit it. Most voters (71%) say that they haven’t heard anything at all about PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and half (50%) also say that they’ve heard nothing about the term “forever chemicals.” Following a description and additional information about PFAS contamination in food, the high incidence of PFAS exposure in the population, and the health risks of PFAS exposure, more than four in five voters (83%) say that they’re concerned about long-term exposure to PFAS and half (51%) are “very” concerned about it.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including new polling on extreme weather, environmental justice, water quality, offshore wind, and proposed measures to protect workers from extreme heat.

Voters overwhelmingly support proposed new OSHA rules to protect workers from extreme heat. Voters recognize that extreme heat is a hazard for workers. More than four in ten (84%) say that they are concerned about workers facing extreme heat while at the workplace, including 42% who are “very concerned” about it. Concern intensifies when voters learn about the lack of safeguards to protect workers from extreme heat. After reading that “employers are not currently obligated to provide workers with protections against extreme heat, like breaks to cool off or drink water,” nearly nine in ten (88%) say that they are concerned about workers facing extreme heat and most (53%) are “very concerned” about it. Despite the deep partisan polarization that we commonly see in polls about government regulations, voters across party lines are closely aligned on this topic: 96% of Democrats, 86% of independents, and 86% of Republicans say that they support these proposed new OSHA rules.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including new polling on Americans’ attitudes about climate change, views on different energy sources, and beliefs about the links between fossil fuel pollution and health problems.

There is a clear and urgent opportunity for the health sector to inform and support Americans on climate change as a matter of health. 70% of Americans have heard that climate change can affect their health. However, more Americans acknowledge the health impacts on others (69%) than themselves (46%), likely due to cognitive dissonance. Most Americans (69%) trust health professionals for climate health information and, 61% want to learn how to protect their health from adverse climate effects such as poor air quality, extreme heat, or severe storms. By disseminating accurate information and guidance across a variety of mediums (including direct conversations), the health sector can empower Americans to protect their health from climate-related risks and advocate for broader systemic changes to address climate change in inclusive, just, and equitable ways.