OSU Sponsored Program: Health Impacts of Climate Change on Ohio

What does change in global climate mean locally for Ohio and Ohioans in the long-term? Find out during Taking Ohio’s Temperature: Assessing Local Health Impacts of Climate Change, presented by Health Science Frontiers (www.hsf.osu.edu) Thursday (2/19) at 7pm-8:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm) at WOSU@COSI Studios on 333 W. Broad St. Read the FLYER for more info!

This event is a public panel discussion on the health impacts of climate change in Ohio and is sponsored by the OSU School of Communication, WOSU, and Nationwide Children's Hospital.


NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced that 2014 was globally among the top three warmest years since recordkeeping began. However, what does this change in global climate mean locally for Ohio and Ohioans in the long-term?

According to 2014 US National Climate Assessment, Ohio is likely to experience more extreme heatwaves, increased heavy rain downpours, and flooding that will significantly worsen both local air and water quality.  Climate change will also likely worsen existing environmental problems to harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie.

How will these environmental changes impact human health in Ohio? Scientists and health experts warn that lower air quality may worsen asthma and increase respiratory diseases and infections. Lower water quality may also boost rates of infectious insect and water-borne diseases.  Drinking water supplies may also be threatened, as recently
happened in Toledo last year, as toxic algal blooms occurring in Lake Erie and inland water reservoirs occur more frequently.

So how do we adapt to these new climate conditions? What health precautions do we need to take? How do we communicate and educate Ohioans about these health risks? Please join us for a public conversation on these topics and more with a panel of local and national health, risk, and climate experts. The panel will be moderated by a WOSU journalist. The event is free and open to the general public with seating beginning at 6:30pm. Attendees will be able to participate in the panel discussion during the Q&A session. Free parking vouchers will be distributed at the event.

Please RSVP your attendance to science_forum@osu.edu by February 18, 2015