The Health Care Climate Council, representing hospitals committed to addressing the health impacts of climate change, supports the new EPA’s Clean Power Plan. The EPA plan sets the first-ever federal limits on dangerous carbon pollution from existing power plants, cuts the single largest source of the carbon pollution, and safeguards public health from the harmful effects of carbon pollution.

The health of communities across the United States are already impacted by climate change, with the elderly, children, and people already suffering from burdensome illnesses at greater risk. Left unchecked, we will see:

• Continued upward spiral of asthma and respiratory disease; 
• Greater likelihood of injury, disease, and death due to more intense heat waves and fires;
• Increased likelihood of under-nutrition resulting from diminished food production in poor regions;
• Risks from lost work capacity and reduced labor productivity in vulnerable populations; and
• Increased risks from food- and water-borne diseases and vector-borne diseases.

The EPA’s proposed limits on power plant emissions show a serious commitment to addressing climate change and its impact on human health. The EPA projects its Clean Power Plan will: 

• Cut carbon pollution by 30 percent by 2030 (below 2005 levels), providing up to $93 billion in climate and public health benefits;
• Prevent up to 6,600 premature deaths, up to 150,000 asthma attacks in children, and up to 490,000 missed work and school days in 2030;
• Prevent 3,300 heart attacks, and up to 2,800 hospital admissions; and
• Help protect low-income communities, as well as children, and seniors who are disproportionally affected by climate change.

(Note: The above projections can be found on the EPA’s fact sheet, Overview of the Clean Power Plan)

The new emission rules represent the most significant opportunity in years to help curb the growing consequence of climate change. Cleaning up carbon pollution protects health and every state in the country will see benefits due to reduced emissions.

We urge the EPA to continue to work with health partners across the country to support the strongest limits on carbon pollution in order to protect our children, our health, and our future. 

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Established by Health Care Without Harm, the Health Care Climate Council is a leadership network of hospitals committed to strengthening the health sector’s response to climate change. For more information about the Council, contact Eric Lerner, Director of Health Care Without Harm’s Climate Program.