How Physicians Are Preparing for Climate Change
Ask students: What conference is mentioned at the beginning of this story? How many people die of heat related illness in South Asia every year?
As the U.N. climate conference nears its end, there's concern over whether countries can or will meet prior pledges to hold down global temperatures. If temperatures continue to climb, the impact on health could be profound and some doctors say their profession is not prepared. William Brangham reports in collaboration with the Global Health Reporting Center with support from the Pulitzer Center.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
Discussion Questions
- What conference is mentioned at the beginning of this story?
- How many people die of heat related illness in South Asia every year?
- Who is Dr. Satchit Balsari, and where is he based?
- Why are some doctors saying physicians aren't prepared for health impacts of climate change?
- How did Dr. Balsari's team study the impacts of increased heat on health?
Focus Questions
What changes do you think doctors and medical staff in the U.S. should be thinking of to prepare for the health effects of climate change?
Media literacy: What information do you think is lacking from this story that would better help explain the connection between climate change and human health?
Lesson Plans on Climate Change
Explore more resources for educators to find a wide-range of relevant preK-12 lessons on climate change or supporting young people as they continue to lead the conversation around the climate change crisis.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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