The American Lung Association in “A Declaration on Climate Change and Health” observes that climate change is a health emergency, one “already harming health and causing loss of life. The window to prevent the worst impacts is rapidly closing.”

The organization points out several worrisome facts:

• Climate change puts everyone’s health at risk, regardless of where you live.
• Lots of people are at increased risk of getting sick or injured as a result of climate impacts, even if they don’t realize it. They include kids, seniors, people with chronic diseases like asthma or diabetes, people who are pregnant, people with disabilities, people who work outdoors, people with low-incomes, people of color and many more.
• Extreme heat is killing people. It causes more deaths than any other weather-related hazard, and climate change is making it much worse. Heat is also linked with a wide array of short-term and long-term illnesses.
• Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense, spreading dangerous smoke that is making people sick. Particle pollution and other harmful substances in the smoke are linked to lung disease, lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and preterm birth.
• Climate change is making smog worse. Warmer temperatures increase smog (also called ozone pollution), which is linked to asthma attacks, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, preterm and low birthweight infants, cancer, harms to brain health and premature death.
• Storms and flooding are getting more severe, causing injuries, worsening physical and mental health, and cutting people off from their healthcare.
• Disease-carrying insects like ticks and mosquitoes are multiplying and spreading to new areas, increasing exposure to illnesses like Lyme disease and Dengue fever. Water- and food-borne pathogens are also spreading.
• Allergy seasons are getting longer and more intense.
• Rising carbon dioxide are projected to decrease the nutritional content of crops.

If we care for our families and our fellow citizens of the United States of America, then we must care about the impact of climate change on their health and well-being. We must be vocal. In this way, America will remain strong, vibrant, healthy and productive for generations to come.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization. CCL insists – and we agree – “The everyday acts of civil engagement that CCLers do around the country – calling, writing, or meeting with lawmakers; creating dialogue and building coalitions in our communities – will be incredibly powerful. With every climate action we take, we’re making the voice of the American people louder in a time when it’s far too easy for those voices to be drowned out.”

Further, “Because we believe in a government that listens to the people it represents. So, we intend to keep showing up to be heard. We hope you’re with us and ready to make your voice heard, too.”

Our growing community of CCL members must remain engaged, and we must keep speaking up in writing and by calling our elected officials about bills and issues that are of critical importance to our communities.

Rex Huppke writes for USA Today, “This July Fourth, my patriotism looks like two middle fingers – and that’s OK | Opinion” (June 30, 2025).

What does our patriotism, in this rather pivotal moment in American history, look like? How do we celebrate America – the right-now version of America – when democracy looks as fragile as a cracked sheet of thin ice over a warming pond?

My America won’t tolerate racists or xenophobes or clout-chasing knuckleheads who think the American dream involves trampling carelessly over others while forgetting the very things that make this country great …. My America fights back against tyranny and indecency with ridicule, peaceful public protest, voting and a unified voice.

I’m not happy with the state of America …. But I’m not going to look at the American flag and feel ashamed. That flag still represents a country I believe to be well worth fighting for ….

If you are not receiving regular email from Citizens’ Climate Lobby, especially those alerting you to take simple yet meaningful actions about bills that harm human health, our shared natural resources, and the safety and well-being of our fellow Americans – sign up today! We need your voice now more than ever.

You might enjoy reading Flannery Winchester’s blog post with several additional helpful links, “These times call for us to hold the line on climate” (June 25, 2025).