Kansas Climate + Health Declaration

Kansas Policymakers

The Kansas Climate + Health Declaration aims to increase awareness of the impacts of climate change on public health, to increase civic engagement on climate action in Kansas, and to advance policies that build community resilience and safeguard the future of our state.

Climate disruption impacts the lives, health, and economic well-being of Kansans.

  • Because our agricultural economy depends heavily on the weather,“Climate change is a substantial concern in Kansas.”1
  • We are already seeing the impacts of a changing climate. If we do not take immediate action to reduce emissions, we face increased risks of extreme drought, wildfires, floods, and food shortages.2
  • In Kansas, increases in extreme weather threaten livelihoods, destabilize communities, and drain resources.  Farmers, ranchers, construction workers, first responders, and military personnel will be among the first to experience the effects of climate change.3

Climate change is a major public health concern in Kansas.

  • Kansans will experience increases in cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and other chronic conditions according to projected climate change scenarios.1
  • Longer periods of pollen production will worsen asthma symptoms and lead to longer, more intense, allergy seasons.4
  • Warmer temperatures and changes in the geographic ranges of ticks and mosquitos will increase vector-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and West Nile Virus.5
  • Increased heat wave intensity and frequency, increased humidity, degraded air quality, and reduced water quality will increase public health risks.6  
  • Impacts on mental health include increased stress, depression, and anxiety; strained social and community relationships; increases in aggression, violence, and crime; and increases in trauma, shock, and post-traumatic stress disorder.7

Those least responsible will be the most impacted and least able to adapt.

  • “Climate change exacerbates existing health and social inequities.”8
  • Vulnerable populations will bear the greatest burden. Children, seniors, low income communities, communities of color, immigrant communities, those with chronic disease, pregnant women, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities will be most impacted.8
  • “Failure to take prompt, substantive action would be an act of injustice to all children.”9

Solutions exist to build resilience, economic opportunities, and healthy communities.

  • Protect Kansas water, energy, air, and land resources.
  • Reduce emissions associated with electricity generation, transportation, and agriculture.
  • Secure and increase access to healthcare across the state.
  • Learn about solutions that work in Kansas.
  • Take action in homes, organizations, and communities.
  • Adopt state and local Climate Action Plans setting a deliberate course for the future.


WE DECLARE OUR COMMITMENT

TO A HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR ALL.

We stand with leading public health organizations in making a clear call to our state’s leadership to address climate change as a primary threat to public health.  

We urge bold, comprehensive action to reduce emissions and build resilience. We need to reduce risks of climate disruption to safeguard the future of our state.

Show your support with a signature on the declaration.


Kansas-specific data supporting the Climate + Health Declaration comes from the following sources:

1. Kansas Health Institute 2. International Panel on Climate Change 3. U.S. Global Change Research Program 4. American Lung Association 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 6. National Climate Assessment: Midwest 7. American Psychological Association 8. American Public Health Association 9. American Academy of Pediatrics.

RESOURCES

American Academy of Pediatrics (2019). Climate Change and Children’s Health.

American Lung Association (2019). Asthma and Climate Change: What you need to know.

American Psychological Association (2017). Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Implications, and Guidance

American Public Health Association (2019). Climate Change is a Health Emergency.

-- (2019).  Climate Change: A Guide for Local Health Departments.

-- (2019). Climate Changes Health: Vulnerable Populations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019).  Climate and Health: Diseases Carried by Vectors.

International Panel on Climate Change (2019).  Summary for Policymakers of IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C approved by governments.

Kansas Health Institute (2019). Health and Climate Change in Kansas.

National Climate Assessment (2019). Fourth National Climate Assessment - Chapter 21: Midwest.

Climate and Health Assessment (2016). The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment.


For more information, visit resilientkansas.org or email takeaction@climateandenergy.org.

To: Kansas Policymakers
From: [Your Name]

I stand with leading public health organizations in making a clear call to our state’s leadership to address climate change as a primary threat to public health.

I urge bold, comprehensive action to reduce emissions and build resilience. We need to reduce risks of climate disruption to safeguard the future of our state.