AZHPCA's September 2024 Newsletter

I thought summer was over. The heat is still going and please talk with others about how climate change is leading to these longer summers.

We welcome Paloma, Harry, Shelley, Jen, Christy, Merlin, Sara, Elisa, Chrissy and Ellen to our group and please share the invitation below with others to encourage them to join, we are up to 115 members and growing!

Updates:

-AZHPCA Summit went great!  There were over 35 people live on Zoom and I have had good feedback.  If you missed it, here is the link to watch it on our Youtube channel.  Share with others as well.

-In addition to new updates on the Voting Green section on the website.  We launched a Solutions page under our Engage header.  We all want to do something and we are trying to link rebate programs and programs going on in our state and federally.  So if looking at solar, heat pump, EV's, or water conservation projects check it out.

-We are almost to 100 LinkedIn followers at AZHPCA LinkedIn . Vivian and Pat are doing a great job with this. They motivated me to get more involved and I am posting gool articles and podcasts relating to climate and health, so check us out!

-Earth Day Gives Campaign-  This fundraising campaign pairs us with Earth Gives, a non-profit helping to raise money for climate based non-profits.  We want to keep the organization free but I am needing help with running the day to day while still working in the ED.  The goal is trying to raise enough funds so we can keep our work going and hire some support staff.  Every dollar helps and if you find other causes you want to donate to that is awesome as well. Sept 6- Oct 1.

-We continue engagement with:

-The State's Chief Heat Officer of Arizona Eugene Livar on heat mitigation and medication education- I will be doing an interview with ABC Phoenix on Sept 30 regarding the heat and medication task force.

-Out next healthcare advocacy call is Oct 16 and we are working with https://www.mtnmamas.org/ to continue to network and combine climate health work in our state.  If you are interested stop by on this Zoom link.

-Vivian- spoke at Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) Conference at University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix on Saturday, Sep 21, the students enjoyed the talk and some have already joined.

-American Lung Association on air quality projects

-Nico- is working with Northern Arizona Healthcare to develop a sustainability director position and committee to help them meet their Climate Pledge goals.

-Yvonne is continuing ground work with Banner Medical Center South Sustainability Committee and met with Practice Greenhealth to do a site assessment and start work on a governance structure.

-Met with Climate Action Campaign director and will help in their work on Dept. of Labor Heat Related Injury and Prevention OSHA Standard and Extreme weather Validators.  Will hope to do some Op-ed work with their team.

-Attended Tucson Climate Stakeholder Conversation and heard about work they are doing for:

-Heat resilience bus stops with green infrastructure and shelter-EV fleet up to 50 vehicles and increasing charging stations-Climate change education in schools.-Heat Protection Ordinance for city contractors.-Increasing solar panels in city owned public housing.

-Met with Alice Chen from Climate Power and will be on an Arizona leader for their media team for climate health questions-Talked with reporter Katie Worth doing a story on lack of AC units in Flagstaff schools and health effects this has on children

-Lots going on and if you are interested in being a part of any of it please reach out and we will get you connected.

Education information:

Recent Study:

Air Pollution and Parkinson Disease in a Population-Based Study

JAMA Network Open

The University of Arizona - News

Study: Over nearly half a billion years, Earth's temperature has changed drastically, driven by carbon dioxide

A new study co-led by the University of Arizona and the Smithsonian offers the most detailed glimpse yet into how Earth's surface temperature has changed over the past 485 million years.

News:

Arizona Capitol Times

Historic Federal Investments Fueling Arizona’s Success – But We Must Harness Their Full Potential

This past July was the hottest July ever recorded on Earth. Conditions here in Arizona have been similarly relentless. As of Sept. 3, Phoenix had endured a record-breaking stretch of 100 consecutive days of at least 100-degree temperatures. Arizonans know all too well that we are the epicenter of the most extreme impacts of climate change. Besides the unrelenting and deadly heat, we are challenged with historic drought, destructive wildfires, and some of the worst air pollution in the country.

Daily Independent

McCormick: The importance of young voters

As a young American who is turning 18 before this year’s election, I cannot wait to perform my civic duty by voting in the Nov. 5 general election. In such an unprecedented time regarding issues such as America’s housing crisis, women’s right to reproductive freedom and climate change, it is essential for Generation Z to take our future into our own hands. Voting is extremely important in a battleground state such as Arizona to ensure that your voice as the future of America is heard.

KJZZ

Coconino County commission approves new wind farm north of Flagstaff

Coconino County’s planning commission has approved a wind farm to be built 25 miles north of Flagstaff. It’s the latest in a series of renewable energy projects in the region. The commission voted 4-2 to approve up to 100 turbines that are expected to reach 640 feet in the air.

ACTION ITEMS:

Last day for VotER registration in Arizona is Oct 7th- you can use this badge to find out if you are registered or register to vote.  Share on your social media and get your friends and family registered.

voter ER badge.pdf

Letter of support for OSHA Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings standard.   This standard was published to the Federal Register on Aug 30 and is open to comments until Dec 2.  Good standards can decrease the heat related illness, missed workdays and medical bills our patients encounter because of their occupation.  It's open to comments and has a preformed letter, I did mine this week.

Upcoming AZHPCA Activities:

AZHPCA Steering Committee (at 1200pm):

Nov 12, 2024

Jan 8, 2025

Mar 5, 2025

May 7, 2025

July 2, 2025

Sept 3, 2025

Nov 5, 2025

AZHPCA Sustainability Committee Meetings (at 1200pm):

Sept 11, 2024

Dec 11, 2024

Mar 12, 2025

June 11, 2025

Sept 10, 2025

Dec 10, 2025

Will chat soon and share the invite to join AZPHCA with anyone who is interested.

Thanks so much for your interest and passion.

Brian Drummond