ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Vote As Though Your Life Depends On It

The health of our patients and our planet has been affected by the influence of the fossil fuel industry. The elected officials who support and subsidize the fossil fuel industry allow uninhibited pollution of our atmosphere from emissions. The Bush, Clinton and Obama administrations came close to regulating the fossil fuel industry but each time our leaders caved at the unsubstantiated threat of economic and job losses.1 Climate scientists have sent out alarms about the consequences of unabated climate change for over 40 years. Health professionals have observed the health consequences of societies’ inaction on global warming. India and Pakistan recently had temperatures approaching the limits of human tolerance. Minnesotans don’t even need to travel to experience the health effects from climate change. Vector borne illnesses are more common, allergy sufferers experience more days of symptoms, and people with pre-existing cardiac disease are at higher risk of death due to air pollution from wildfire smoke and transportation emissions.2 “Unequivocal,” The 2021 International Panel on Climate Change report, confirms that humans cause change. “This report must sound a death knell for coal and fossil fuels, before they destroy our planet,” António Guterres, the UN secretary general, warned: “[This report] is a code red for humanity. The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable.”3 Naomi Oreskes in her book, Merchants of Doubt,4 outlines how the fossil fuel industry, in much the same manner as the tobacco industry, has persistently fueled doubt about the role fossil fuels played in climate change. Exxon’s own scientists confirmed the harm from fossil fuels in the 1970s. However, once climate scientists rang the alarm bell, the industry quickly pivoted to creating doubt. Efforts to address this rapidly growing disaster has been met with a firewall of resistance from the fossil fuel industry and complicit politicians who have their own playbook of well-worn phrases acquired from the fossil fuel industry. Until voters elect leaders at all levels who are committed to passing comprehensive climate legislation, we will watch horrible disasters unfold. Your vote is one of the best ways to mitigate climate change. Make sure you educate yourself about the candidates from school boards to federal offices. The easiest way to find out if you are registered to vote and how to vote can be found at https://www.sos. state.mn.us/elections-voting/.

Mike Menzel, MD, member of TCMS and MMA is co-founder of Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate.

References: 1. The Power of Big Oil, April 9, 2022, PBS Frontline. 2. Climate and Health, MDH. 3. The IPCC Climate Change 2022 Impacts Report:

Why it matters, February 24, 2022. 4. Merchants of Doubt, Bloomsbury Press, 2010.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Lakeview Clinic has what you are

looking for! Join an independent, physicianowned group of 50 providers in the SW Metro. Be a part of a collaborative work environment in a primary care group of family physicians, internists, pediatricians, general surgeons and OB/GYNs. • 4-day work week with 32 contact hours achieving excellent work/life balance • Excellent compensation with a 2-year partnership track to earn in the top 10% in the state • Outstanding benefits including 100% paid family health insurance and dental insurance, 401K and profit sharing • We have 4 sites in the southwest metro:

Chaska, Waconia, Norwood, and Watertown

Due to retirements and growth, we are currently looking for:

◦ Internal Medicine ◦ Family Medicine ◦ Pediatrics

CONTACT: administration@lakeviewclinic.com PHONE: 952-442-4461 ext. 7215 WEB: www.lakeviewclinic.com