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CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> She continued, Going into the health effects of this and building on the polar vortex, number one
<br /> (1) is that extreme weather events and temperatures can have drastic impact on human health.
<br /> Fifteen(15)homeless people froze to death in Chicago during the polar vortex. In general, elderly,
<br /> young and people with chronic diseases are sensitive to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.
<br /> There are many studies that show that extreme temperatures increase hospital visits as well as the
<br /> mortality of these groups. Additionally,more extreme storms will occur with more frequency and
<br /> higher intensity which increases mortality as well as susceptibility to damages. Secondly, disease
<br /> spread is another main health effect that will be happening with climate change. Mosquitoes carry
<br /> diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and zika. These mosquitoes have already been bringing
<br /> these diseases to new areas and their habitat will continue to expand with climate change as they
<br /> thrive in high temperatures and humid weather. This poses one (1) of the greatest global health
<br /> risks.The WHO has even named it as the global health risk.As these diseases have severe physical,
<br /> economic and other consequences. Lastly, pollutants also have great effects on health. They are
<br /> also largely responsible for an increase in disease risk. Here is a photo of Beijing, China. One (1)
<br /> day it is clear, and, on another day, it is choked with smog. One (1) way pollutants cause disease
<br /> is through increasing the likeliness of cancers and respiratory illnesses. Another way is through
<br /> pollutants in water sources which can be responsible for disease transmissions such as cholera.
<br /> Lastly, another pollutant is microplastics. There have been many studies on how microplastics,
<br /> which are plastics so small even normal filters can't stop them getting into water sources, have
<br /> been building up in organism's stomachs and are in a lot of what we consume today.
<br /> Joshua Crudup, 17727 Tanager Lane, stated, I would like my main man Dwight to help me present
<br /> here. He is going to help me debunk the myths and misunderstandings. The first(1St)is that climate
<br /> change is nothing new and it is a part of our natural cycle. Now yes, climate change is a part of
<br /> our natural cycle. However, if you look at this graphic (referencing a slide in the presentation),
<br /> from 1950 to right now, the carbon emitted into the atmosphere has increased exponentially and,
<br /> really,dangerously. It's horrible. If you look at the parts per million,it has gone from three hundred
<br /> (300)to four hundred(400). That is not a myth.That is something we have facts and hard evidence
<br /> on. The next myth is that climate change is scientifically still up for debate.
<br /> Dwight Milligan, 227 South Frances, stated, These companies (referencing a slide in the
<br /> presentation) show that climate change is real and is not fake, like other people think.
<br /> Mr. Crudup stated, These are scientifically backed institutions that have said climate change is
<br /> affecting the Earth and environment and we have to do something to change it. This is not a myth.
<br /> This is not something we have to blow off. This is something we have to face head-on. It is not up
<br /> for debate. It is something we see in our everyday life. In South Bend, even, you can see the
<br /> fluctuations in the climate. It was negative fifty (50) degrees and the next week it's fifty (50)
<br /> degrees. It is not up for debate. It is something that happens, and we need change. The next myth
<br /> is that cold weather streaks are proof that climate change can't be real. Like this graphic says, if
<br /> we are sinking, why are we hundreds of feet up in the air? Our climate is a very complex system.
<br /> As Jackie said, we have things such as the polar vortex where if there is low pressure, it expands.
<br /> Now yes, we still have seasons, but it is so complex that you can't really just say that just because
<br /> it's warm one (1) day that climate change is not real. If you went to school, you would learn that
<br /> climate is over a many number of years and it is not just the day or the temperature. So,yes,climate
<br /> change is real, and we are trying to put in regulations to improve things and stop the climate from
<br /> changing so drastically. Some say climate change may be real,but there is no proof it is caused by
<br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
<br /> 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvid South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574 235 9173 TLD 574 235 5567 www.southbendin.gov
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