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Enviromedics: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health
Many of us have concerns about the effects of climate change on Earth, but we often overlook the essential issue of human health. This book addresses that oversight and enlightens readers about the most important aspect of one of the greatest challenges of our time.
The global environment is under massive stress from centuries of human industrialization. The projections regarding climate change for the next century and beyond are grim. The impact this will have on human health is tremendous, and we are only just now discovering what the long-term outcomes may be.
By weighing in from a physician’s perspective, Jay Lemery and Paul Auerbach clarify the science, dispel the myths, and help readers understand the threats of climate change to human health. No better argument exists for persuading people to care about climate change than a close look at its impacts on our physical and emotional well-being.
The need has never been greater for a grounded, informative, and accessible discussion about this topic. In this groundbreaking book, the authors not only sound the alarm but address the health issues likely to arise in the coming years.
The global environment is under massive stress from centuries of human industrialization. The projections regarding climate change for the next century and beyond are grim. The impact this will have on human health is tremendous, and we are only just now discovering what the long-term outcomes may be.
By weighing in from a physician’s perspective, Jay Lemery and Paul Auerbach clarify the science, dispel the myths, and help readers understand the threats of climate change to human health. No better argument exists for persuading people to care about climate change than a close look at its impacts on our physical and emotional well-being.
The need has never been greater for a grounded, informative, and accessible discussion about this topic. In this groundbreaking book, the authors not only sound the alarm but address the health issues likely to arise in the coming years.
232 pages, Hardcover
Published October 20, 2017
27 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 9, 2019
An accessible and thorough (copious footnotes!) introduction to the burgeoning field of environmental health written by two medical school professors. I was inspired to find a good introduction after a conversation with a friend who planned to pursue graduate studies in the field and am glad I picked this book!
The book focuses on the impact of climate change on environmental health, but lucidly introduces more general topics in public health and epidemiology (fields with which I previously had close to zero exposure) as well. It also serves as an exemplar for how to communicate about any changing complex system (climate, health care, government) without assuming background, belittling the intelligence of the audience, or being political (in fact, I would've liked it if the book was a little more political). Be warned as well that this is essentially a textbook for a layperson and reads as such.
In terms of writing style, I was charmed by the integration of (kind of corny) quasi-fictional case studies focusing on the impact of climate change on the health of specific people and historical anecdotes with hundreds of (contextualized) statistics and other less narrative forms of information. Definitely something I'll be experimenting with in my own writing.
A selection of factoids:
-150 million climate refugees predicted by 2050
-49% of Hurricane Katrina affected population experienced anxiety-related mood disorders
-More than 50% of the US population lives in counties that that don’t meet national ambient air quality standards
-“Between 1998 and 2002, 116 of the 158 latest small-molecule drugs approved by the FDA originated directly or conceptually from nature” (on why biodiversity is a human health interest)
The book focuses on the impact of climate change on environmental health, but lucidly introduces more general topics in public health and epidemiology (fields with which I previously had close to zero exposure) as well. It also serves as an exemplar for how to communicate about any changing complex system (climate, health care, government) without assuming background, belittling the intelligence of the audience, or being political (in fact, I would've liked it if the book was a little more political). Be warned as well that this is essentially a textbook for a layperson and reads as such.
In terms of writing style, I was charmed by the integration of (kind of corny) quasi-fictional case studies focusing on the impact of climate change on the health of specific people and historical anecdotes with hundreds of (contextualized) statistics and other less narrative forms of information. Definitely something I'll be experimenting with in my own writing.
A selection of factoids:
-150 million climate refugees predicted by 2050
-49% of Hurricane Katrina affected population experienced anxiety-related mood disorders
-More than 50% of the US population lives in counties that that don’t meet national ambient air quality standards
-“Between 1998 and 2002, 116 of the 158 latest small-molecule drugs approved by the FDA originated directly or conceptually from nature” (on why biodiversity is a human health interest)
July 17, 2021
This is math seminal text of the intersection of climate change and health. I appreciated the thorough discussion across sectors and impacts - particularly discussion of water security, which I don’t deal much with In the northeast of US. But my favorite part was the afterword with essays from young people working in climate change, environment and - by nature of their work - health. So environmedics. May we all be inspired to change today for the better of others less fortunate to day and everyone tomorrow.
February 9, 2025
“Part of the problem to date with science communications on climate change has been failure to identify an immediate health threat. Without that stimulus, the imperative to change the way we live and consume our resources is not sufficient.”
Well-researched and increasingly urgent, this book shares a broad (yet shallow) array of climate-related health concerns. I would’ve loved a deeper dive and more connection to public health policies and possible courses of action from a medical lens, but I’d definitely still recommend this book to every human on Earth.
Well-researched and increasingly urgent, this book shares a broad (yet shallow) array of climate-related health concerns. I would’ve loved a deeper dive and more connection to public health policies and possible courses of action from a medical lens, but I’d definitely still recommend this book to every human on Earth.
October 27, 2024
All about the impacts of climate change from a public health perspective. I liked that it examined historic events, like the 2003 European Heatwave, rather than hypotheticals to demonstrate the full impact.
October 16, 2020
A must read.
October 15, 2018
2 doctors with lived experiences on how and what ails of humans decides to delve deeper into the biology of the macroscopic conditions. What the changing scenes of the earth's climate will mean not only for the humans, our landscapes, the biodiversity discovered and undiscovered. How rapidly weather vicissitudes reflect a warmer, wetter climate change is directly attributed to anthropologic neglects. The science of the lobbyists, climate change deniers or pessimists may be best left for the data to express itself politically. However there's no denying when the emergency rooms and patients which doctors treats increasingly spells the symptoms and mortality fragility which points only one way towards an environment which surrounds us and we feed off of. Humans as the premier intelligence of earth must not be complacent and greedy. For at this time more then any other, it is our responsibility to arm with the necessary knowledge to prize our environment above all else and elect officials and support social entrepreneurs who are passionate about saving our earth not just for our namesake but the beauty that surrounds us.
March 5, 2018
Enviromedics is an interesting read about global warming and the direct ramifications on health caused by a changing climate. Written from the perspective of two accomplished medical doctors, this book traverses a wide array of topics related to how global warming can negatively affect and harm people.
I found this book to be enjoyable, with many new points-of-view to consider in the discussion of climate change. The sections describing water and food security in particular contained novel perspectives for me in grasping the impact that global warming can have on communities, as well as region-wide instability. A major drawback of the book, however, was the lack of depth in topics, most likely due to how many topics were included within this book. While understandable as this book was written to describe the spectrum of health repercussions, I felt many sections of the chapters lacking and rushed.
This book has important messages and is a great read to read on a lazy Sunday, however, I most likely would not purchase this book (library loan).
I found this book to be enjoyable, with many new points-of-view to consider in the discussion of climate change. The sections describing water and food security in particular contained novel perspectives for me in grasping the impact that global warming can have on communities, as well as region-wide instability. A major drawback of the book, however, was the lack of depth in topics, most likely due to how many topics were included within this book. While understandable as this book was written to describe the spectrum of health repercussions, I felt many sections of the chapters lacking and rushed.
This book has important messages and is a great read to read on a lazy Sunday, however, I most likely would not purchase this book (library loan).
January 8, 2025
The book had a decent amount of information and had compelling anecdotes. It unfortunately also suffered from the authors unapologetic fatphobia. You scarcely get into chapter one before you hear him ramble on about obesity and compare obesity to things like nuclear war. There was also surprisingly little about the thawing of millennium old pathogens and redundant focus on the role of mosquitoes and midges. The section on current policy proposals could have stood for some beefing up as well. But overall If you can stomach the authors biases it's a decent read
December 6, 2021
A good book for someone who is already interested in climate change and how it impacts humans, it goes into detail not only about the different types of issues that will get worse, but it also provides a 'diagnosis' and ideas for solutions in the future. It is a mix of scientific facts and real-life stories about those impacted, driving the emotional point home.
February 21, 2023
A short but good introduction for physicians and interested lay persons regarding old and new medical concerns with a warming Earth. Well referenced, but not becoming too complex. Clinical stories of illnesses are understandable and help to maintain interest. A excellent book for the climate concerned and political influencers.
July 18, 2018
Interesting perspective from doctors, but it was a little dismal and dry. I ended up skimming it.
August 10, 2021
3,5*
February 15, 2025
A lot of filler. Some chapters are pretty light on details.
Read
November 30, 2025read for geography class freshman year college
December 23, 2021
The individuals and interests who typically stand to benefit from a polluting activity are not the same as the ones who will suffer the adverse health and other consequences.
Acute on chronic is the sudden deterioration in a person's chronic medical condition because of external forces beyond their control.
If we continue to foul our environment, more people on the margin f poor health may be impacted adversely.
There are four main environmental stressors from which adverse health effects might originate: rising temperature, extreme weather events, rising sea level and increased atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Global warming will cause losses of biodiversity in temperate and tropical regions of the world. Warming temperatures and unpredictable weather will cause net decreases in agricultural yields and undermine food security and human nutrition.
Sea level rise will force the displacement of up to 50 million citizens of low lying island nations.
A hotter climate will disproportionately burden the most vulnerable including lower socioeconomic communities and the elderly.
Floods account for approximately half of weather related disasters, affecting 2.3 million people worldwide over the past twenty years, but droughts are the biggest killers, accounting[ for 59.6 percent of extreme weather related deaths.
The most widespread health impact from drought is malnutrition.
Flood is the most common natural disaster. Days after the flood, the risk of infectious disease spikes due to exposure to stagnant and contaminated water.
After flood waters recede, the emotional trauma remains; life is never the same. Knowing how to survive a wildfire or flood is not nearly as good as not having to endure them.
Climate refugees will play out like mass human displacements. Although people can change their address, nations can not yet do this. The physical and mental health challenges of cultural assimilation on such a massive scale will be formidable.
People migrating on short notice are frequently ill equipped and unprepared for the strenuous journey.
More than 1.6 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water.
Agricultural uses currently account for 70 percent of the Earth's water.
60 percent of the world's population live in water basins shared by two or more nations.
Heavy rainfall can easily exceed and overwhelm the most robust sewage treatment systems.
Sanding water after flooding can become contaminated with sewage which can affect drinking water and result in diarrhea which will lead to dehydration illness and death.
Feel a sense of responsibility for your fellow humans.
Acute on chronic is the sudden deterioration in a person's chronic medical condition because of external forces beyond their control.
If we continue to foul our environment, more people on the margin f poor health may be impacted adversely.
There are four main environmental stressors from which adverse health effects might originate: rising temperature, extreme weather events, rising sea level and increased atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Global warming will cause losses of biodiversity in temperate and tropical regions of the world. Warming temperatures and unpredictable weather will cause net decreases in agricultural yields and undermine food security and human nutrition.
Sea level rise will force the displacement of up to 50 million citizens of low lying island nations.
A hotter climate will disproportionately burden the most vulnerable including lower socioeconomic communities and the elderly.
Floods account for approximately half of weather related disasters, affecting 2.3 million people worldwide over the past twenty years, but droughts are the biggest killers, accounting[ for 59.6 percent of extreme weather related deaths.
The most widespread health impact from drought is malnutrition.
Flood is the most common natural disaster. Days after the flood, the risk of infectious disease spikes due to exposure to stagnant and contaminated water.
After flood waters recede, the emotional trauma remains; life is never the same. Knowing how to survive a wildfire or flood is not nearly as good as not having to endure them.
Climate refugees will play out like mass human displacements. Although people can change their address, nations can not yet do this. The physical and mental health challenges of cultural assimilation on such a massive scale will be formidable.
People migrating on short notice are frequently ill equipped and unprepared for the strenuous journey.
More than 1.6 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water.
Agricultural uses currently account for 70 percent of the Earth's water.
60 percent of the world's population live in water basins shared by two or more nations.
Heavy rainfall can easily exceed and overwhelm the most robust sewage treatment systems.
Sanding water after flooding can become contaminated with sewage which can affect drinking water and result in diarrhea which will lead to dehydration illness and death.
Feel a sense of responsibility for your fellow humans.
January 24, 2025
This is an essential read for anyone concerned about the intersection of climate change and human health. This book continues to be a go-to in my climate change research; I still reference it frequently.
The authors have bridged the gap between environmental science and medical science. What sets this book apart is its blend of robust evidence and clear, accessible explanations. Each concept is not only backed by scientific data but is also presented in a way that is easily understandable to both experts and laypersons alike.
The authors have bridged the gap between environmental science and medical science. What sets this book apart is its blend of robust evidence and clear, accessible explanations. Each concept is not only backed by scientific data but is also presented in a way that is easily understandable to both experts and laypersons alike.
June 24, 2020
Drs. Lemery and Auerbach have crafted an argument for the critical importance of paying attention and understanding climate change as a direct and already evident threat to human health. The narrative is completely accessible to everyone, regardless of your medical or environmental science background because it is grounded in engaging anecdotes that provide emotional context to the "dry" evidence. This quick and engaging read that will get you up to speed on the narrative that IS defining our generation of healthcare practitioners. Time to add climate science to the medical school curriculum.
September 28, 2022
Climate Change and Health care
This book is free and comp?let omline. This book is about the intersection of climate change and Health care. It may the only book that puts health and the climate together along with actual cases. It goes through an introduction to what is climate change and the effects on the environment and how all 3 issues of nature, environment and disaster can affect a person's health care. It is a call to action for the next generation. Some of it is local, some international casez. It gets a bit preachy but is a good resource for health care issues and the climate.
This book is free and comp?let omline. This book is about the intersection of climate change and Health care. It may the only book that puts health and the climate together along with actual cases. It goes through an introduction to what is climate change and the effects on the environment and how all 3 issues of nature, environment and disaster can affect a person's health care. It is a call to action for the next generation. Some of it is local, some international casez. It gets a bit preachy but is a good resource for health care issues and the climate.
November 12, 2022
This book suffers from deciding what its audience is intended to be. It’s not really succinct or digestible enough that the average person not already in the field are likely to read it. But for readers already in the field, none of the information is new or proposes any solutions. It merely states facts about climate change impact on individual human health. There’s a gaping hole in information on how a change in public health policy can mitigate the impact of climate change and prevent suffering.
January 28, 2020
Tedious. Only the two chapters before last we’re informative. The authors lost me when they used “Israel”, it’s called Palestine.
April 19, 2024
pretty good read
Good book but a bit to long, otherwise a worthy attempt at opening our eyes to a topic that doesn’t appear much in the literature.
Good book but a bit to long, otherwise a worthy attempt at opening our eyes to a topic that doesn’t appear much in the literature.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews