Yale Climate Experts Speak Out About Climate Change

"We face substantial challenges around energy, climate, food, water, equity, global health and so much more. We at Yale Planetary Solutions also know that the time for action is now, and that action is required of all of us."

Julie Zimmerman, PhD, vice provost for planetary solutions at Yale University.

"Most health professionals did not learn about climate change and its health effects in their formal training, and many other decision-makers lack specific knowledge about how their issue area relates to climate change and health. Incorporating this material into higher education curricula would help close this key knowledge gap and prepare the workforce to make informed decisions under a changing climate."

Laura Bozzi, PhD ’13, MEM ’04, BS ’03, senior director of environmental health policy at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Previously, she was director of programs for the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health.

"The air quality impacts of wildfires are widespread, as are the subsequent public health burdens. Although several studies have examined the impact of the Canadian wildfires on New York City specifically, the smoke plumes and affected populations are much larger."

Michelle L. Bell, PhD, professor of environmental health at the Yale School of Public Health, and Mary E. Pinchot Professor at the Yale School of the Environment.

"Health care is a major emitter of environmental pollutants that adversely affect health. My work has shown that health care is responsible for nearly 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions and similar fractions of toxic air pollutants. These emissions arise directly from health care facilities as well as indirectly from the supply chains of health care goods and services."

Dr. Jodi Sherman, MD, associate professor of anesthesiology and epidemiology (environmental health sciences).

"When we ask Americans who they think is most responsible for acting to address climate change, they identify corporations at the very top, above government. In fact, over half of consumers say they are willing to reward or punish companies for their actions, or failure to act, but we know that many are not currently doing so. In other words, it’s a communications challenge— and opportunity!"

Anthony Leiserowitz, PhD, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication at the Yale School of the Environment.

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