© 2024 WXPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Nobel Prize Winner Talks Climate Change In Northwoods

Global Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,

While debate continues over the nature of climate change, the public next Tuesday can hear from a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who says human health risks pose the largest of threats.

The next "Science  On Tap" presentation is Wednesday in Minocqua.

Dr. Jonathan Patz is director of the Global Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He spent 15 years as lead author for the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

He says spewing of fossil fuels poses a significant threat to public health, especially respiratory problems.....

"....in the United States, upwards of 80,000 people die prematurely from particulate air pollution. Around the world, it's more of a problem. The World Health Organization estimates that 8 million people die prematurely around the world because of air pollution...."

He says fossil fuels emit particulate matter that causes the problems. He says cleaner energy poses a far safer alternative to the burning of fossil fuels. Opponents are skeptical about the existence of climate change, an issue that has arisen in the current political debates. He says
climate change can result in heat waves, with an increase in  infectious diseases and malnutrition. He says global health threats are the largest issue facing climate change.

Science On Tap is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 7 at the Minocqua Brewing Company. The event is free.

Up North Updates
* indicates required
Related Content