Title: Energy Use, Transportation, Air Pollution and Health: From Science to Policy to Environmental Injustice and Urban Planning.
Abstract: The intensive use of energy is at the root of our modem industrial, urbanized society. It has brought us great benefits, but afflicts us with great costs, costs that we are only now beginning to recognize and count. At the outset of this Lecture, I will review some of the health impacts of energy use, both direct and indirect, with particular attention to the health impacts of climate change. Next, I will focus on the health impacts of one form of energy use, namely our current transportation system. These effects include injuries and deaths, the health impacts of an inactive lifestyle, mental and social health impacts, and of course the health impacts of air pollution. With respect to the latter, I will give some attention to the issue of diesel exhaust, PAHs and lung cancer. Many of these health effects are unequally distributed in the population, with those living in poverty more likely to be adversely affected. This environmental injustice is an issue I will address because I presume Morris Katz - who "believed in the equality of all people" - would have found it as disturbing as do I. I will conclude the Lecture with a discussion. from my perspective as an environmental advocate and a pioneer of the global Healthy Cities and Communities movement by going beyond the science to discuss the implications of these issues for public policy and, in particular, for urban planning. Brochure