Health Concerns Spur U.S. Senate to Global Warming Action

Amid growing evidence that scientists have underestimated the pace of global warming, public health experts on Tuesday urged U.S. lawmakers to support efforts to better understand the human health impacts from climate change.


"Climate change is a global health crisis," Michael McCally, a public health physician and executive director of Physicians for Social Responsibility told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Scientists predict climate change will increase heat waves, fires, flooding, hurricanes and drought - all of which adversely impact human health, McCally said.

Furthermore, a warming climate also has the potential to decrease air quality, negatively impact the quantity and quality of fresh water supplies and increase vector, food and water-borne diseases.