Disease Proof

• Despite the confederacy of deniers, a new study in The Lancet suggests climate change poses the greatest challenge to health, claiming warmer temps worsen disease patterns—like malaria and dengue fever—compromise water and sanitation, and cause extreme weather. Experts say the problem has been neglected and now needs immediate attention; Med Page Today reports.

• Some groups are already taking action. In New York City, 25 hospitals have pledged to cut their carbon footprint and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% over the next 10 years. Currently, New York’s hospitals contribute 1.5% of the city’s total carbon emissions; via Green Inc.

• If big giant hospital buildings emit greenhouse gas, what about big giant people? It’s widely believed that fat people are bad for the environment. They drive around more, run the air-conditioning more and have a higher carbon footprint, but some experts are skeptical of the claim, saying that current data is flawed and oversimplified; Red Green and Blue investigates.

• The infamous Kyoto treaty has been largely viewed as soft on greenhouse gas emissions, with countries like the United States and China resistant to making major changes to reduce their carbon output, but now, acknowledging the shift to a low-carbon global economy, China is working to develop a better climate deal; The U.K. Guardian reports.

• A smart move, because presented at the International Conference of the American Thoracic Society, researchers found exposure to pollution can alter people’s DNA. Blood taken from workers three days into their workweek showed significant changes to the genes that help suppress cancer tumors, compared to blood samples taken prior to work; National Geographic News explains.

• The United States is jumping on the global warming-prevention bandwagon too. President Obama is set to issue new national standards for automobiles. By 2016, cars must be 30% more fuel efficient and will be required to get 42 miles per gallon. Some climate change activists are calling it the biggest step America has ever taken to cut emissions; via TreeHugger.

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