Changing Climate Through Healthy Community Design and Transportation

MAKING THE CONNECTION: Changing Climate through Healthy Community Design and Transportation

he burning of fossil fuels causes the release of carbon dioxide, which FAST FACTS builds up in the atmosphere and causes Earth’s temperature to rise— • Since 1990, greenhouse gas emissions T this is climate change. Upstream burning of fossil fuels produces from the transportation sector have heat-trapping toxins that are released into the air, harming our health down- risen 16%. stream. The Earth’s average temperature has increased by nearly 1.5°F in the last century, with recent years being the warmest on record. However, • Transportation is the second leading climate change refers to the lasting disruption of our weather patterns, not contributor to greenhouse gas emissions just temperature increases. Some of these weather-related changes include in the U.S. increased floods and droughts, wildfires, intense storms, heat waves, and • Short trips are the most hazardous because rising sea levels. These conditions have far-reaching environmental, social, the most harmful pollutants are emitted agricultural, and economic effects and are ultimately harmful to our health within minutes of starting a car. and well-being. Traffic emissions are harmful to our health and contribute • Half of trips in the US are 3 miles or less, to climate change. However, transportation systems and healthy community and over 25% of our trips are less than 1 design offer great opportunities to mitigate climate change and improve mile. Private vehicles are used in as many health. as 69% of these short trips. BACKGROUND ON TRANSPORTATION AND HEALTHY • Vehicle pollutants are most concen- COMMUNITY DESIGN trated near major roads. People living The development of transportation systems in the U.S. has transformed close to major roads are at increased risk our lives and livelihoods. The advent of transportation has expanded ac- of chronic diseases (e.g., asthma, cardio- cess to jobs, health care, food, goods, and services. Also, transportation vascular disease, cancer) and premature allows people to evacuate and seek safety in times of danger. Conversely, death. lack of access to transportation limits access to needed resources. It also can result in adverse health exposures, such as those caused by walk- • Physical inactivity among U.S. adults has ing during periods of extreme heat or poor air quality. Natural disasters increased approximately 35% in the last 30 caused by climate change can limit access to transportation, hindering years, while use of auto transportation has safe evacuation. In addition, they can restrict emergency service providers increased. from reaching those who need them. However, increased access to auto- motive transportation has led to dependence on automobiles and to urban • Diabetes rates decrease as neighbor- sprawl, where populations are expanding away from urban centers and hood walkability increases. driving greater distances to workplaces and resources. Dependence on vehicles is among the top factors that have in- CASE STUDY: OLYMPIC-SIZED REDUCTION IN ASTHMA creased greenhouse gas emissions, which drive Transportation practices can influence our health. The more we drive, the more we climate change and are harmful to our health. contribute to harmful air quality. When Atlanta was home to the 1996 Olympics, Increased automobile dependence has led to more residents were asked to limit driving to reduce traffic congestion. Traffic—and thus sedentary lifestyles, contributing to rising rates air pollution—decreased substantially. Moreover, there was a significant decrease of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, in pediatric hospital admissions and emergency room visits for asthma. Once the and heart disease. The way we design and build Olympics were over and normal traffic resumed, those rates increased to baseline our communities affects our physical and mental levels. Less driving and more use of mass transit can lead to improved health for all health. Many communities are designed for auto- and, especially, improved respiratory health for children. mobiles rather than for residents. Healthy com- munity design practices, however, consider walk-, bike-, and roll-friendly routes when designing or updating communities, allowing people to access necessary amenities safely and practically. This TRANSPORTATION AND DESIGN results in improved air quality, health, and quality Impacts on Climate Change and Health of life.

Driving releases harmful AUTOMOTIVE TRANSPORTATION pollutants into the environment. WHAT CAN BE DONE? People both inside and outside the vehicle are exposed. Explore climate-friendly options for commuting: CLIMATE IMPACTS: •• Walk or bike for short trips rather than driving Increases Traffic, Increases Pollution if routes are safe and accessible. Active HEALTH IMPACTS: Decreases physical activity transportation (biking, walking, and rolling) Increases chronic disease risk can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It can Worsens existing chronic disease also improve health, increase safety, and save Many people can be transported at once money. Biking in groups can create a safer and via mass transit, reducing vehicles on MASS/PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION roads. This form of transportation also more social environment. encourages walking between stops and destinations. •• Increase use of mass transportation, including CLIMATE IMPACTS: buses, trolleys, light rail (trams), passenger Reduces Traffic, Reduces Pollution trains, rapid transit (metro/subways), and HEALTH IMPACTS: ferries. Increases physical activity (slightly) Increases safety, Decreases stress •• Use employer-offered programs to reduce Increases social interaction driving (e.g., working from home or working Walking, biking, and rolling to the places we ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION need to go is termed active transportation. compressed schedules). People who have options to reach their •• If driving, refrain from fast acceleration destinations without driving can have more active lifestyles. Active lifestyles promote or idling your car’s engine. Also, keep tire healthier lives. pressure at the appropriate level and stay up CLIMATE IMPACTS: to date on vehicle maintenance (e.g., tune-ups Reduces Traffic, Reduces Pollution and oil changes) to reduce excess emissions. HEALTH IMPACTS: Increases physical activity, Decreases chronic Participate in a healthy community: disease risk, Decreases stress, Increases social interaction •• Planting trees can help the environment Communities are designed with health in in many ways. For example, it can reduce mind. All modes of transportation, HEALTHY COMMUNITY DESIGN pollution, cool the environment, and reduce particularly safe forms of active transportation, are weighed. Designs flooding. promote green space (including parks •• Participate in or establish community gardens or areas with trees and gardens). to increase access to healthy food and promote CLIMATE IMPACTS: Decreases Distances Traveled, green space. Reduces Pollution Resources: HEALTH IMPACTS: Decreases chronic disease risk •• For more information on climate solutions Increases safety and what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint, visit www.apha.org/climate and This document is made possible by memorandum of understanding between the American Public Health Association and ecoAmerica. www.climateforhealth.org.

MAKING THE CONNECTION: THROUGH HEALTHY COMMUNITY DESIGN AND TRANSPORTATION