NH Climate Health Action Talk
NH CHAT
May 30, 2023
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What Do People Believe about Climate Change in New Hampshire?
Image of Change: Carolina Wren
Sustainability Corner: The Climate Impact of MDIs
Nursing Advocacy Opportunity
We Rely on You! Join us as a Member!
Book Review: Silent Spring
Highlighted Webinar: Engaging Conservatives in Climate Action
“What Do People Believe about Climate Change in New Hampshire?”
By Matt Cahillane, MPH. Ecological Solutions. Concord, NH
What do we know about how people think, feel, and believe in relation to climate change in New Hampshire? Actually, quite a lot. Over the past decade, researchers have been asking very specific questions and getting interesting answers from a broad swath of the population. This article will report on some of the more recent survey findings from the Granite State.
When we think of gathering opinions, we often turn to large surveys. Population-level surveys are best used in situations where you need to know: 1) what people think or believe, 2) you need statistically valid results, and 3) you want to get them quickly ( UWis, 2022 ). Yet, large surveys are a one-way street of opinions that don’t provide much context for why people respond in a certain way to a question. For those insights, a two-way dialogue via focus groups or key informant interviews would provide us with more insights into the reasons behind the opinions and beliefs.
Now, let’s review the available findings for New Hampshire. A recent survey from a state poll taken in March 2023 asked a question about the top priorities of 943 adults in NH (UNH, 2023). The survey questions stated: “What do you think is the most important problem facing the state of New Hampshire today?” As per the results in Figure 1a below, the importance of climate appears to be in the top five responses. This is good news if you are wondering if people are aware and concerned about the problem of a warming planet. The simple answer is ‘yes’ they are – especially when compared to the next five priorities. Yet, the findings were grouped into a blended category of ‘climate change /environment’ concerns, so we’re not able to tease out what proportion is specific to climate.
Figure 1 a. Multiple Priorities in NH, UNH 2023.
Fortunately, another UNH survey reported on findings more specific to the topic of climate opinions and beliefs of 944 adults (UNH/DHHS, 2022). The Granite State Poll is repeated every few months, and in August 2022 it included three questions about extreme weather, climate importance, and belief in human-caused climate change. The poll surveyed people on both their personal ‘opinions’ and the level of ‘belief’ in the scientific facts of climate change. The difference between the two is that everyone has a varying opinion about if the climate has changed based on their personal experience. In contrast, the belief in accepted facts of scientific consensus on human-caused climate change provides a different insight into either the awareness of the accepted science or trust in the source of information.
As per Figure 2a below, we see findings from the question: “How important is the issue of climate change to you personally compared to other social or environmental issues?” The issue of ‘climate change’ appears to be either ‘important’ or ‘extremely important’ to 50% of the respondents. In contrast, the issue is ‘not too important’ or ‘not at all’ to 43% of the respondents. The rest (16%) fall somewhere in-between. The narrative description at the bottom of the bar chart describes the population groups that are more likely and less likely to express an opinion on the importance of climate change.
As per Figure 3a below, we see findings from the question: “Which of the following three statements do you think is more accurate? The belief in the scientific facts of climate change can vary greatly by demographics. Most respondents (58%) believe the statement that “Climate change is happening now, caused mainly by human activities”, while a lesser proportion (28%) believe that it is caused by natural forces, and a smaller percent (7%) believe it is not happening now. The narrative description at the bottom of the bar chart describes the population groups that are more likely and less likely to express an opinion on their belief in climate change caused by human activities.
What have we learned? The findings from recent population surveys of NH residents indicate that there is consistent prioritization of climate issues near the top of all concerns, yet the belief that climate change is driven by human activities is less consistent. As the 2024 presidential primary progresses in New Hampshire, we’ll likely see many more surveys of opinions and beliefs related to political affiliation. We will continue to monitor the polls to see how these findings relate to public perception of climate change and health.
In next month’s column will explore how climate opinions in New Hampshire are similar and different from the rest of the nation.
References:
1. Wisconsin Coop Extension. “Survey Procedures, Quick Tips #7”, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Madison, WI. Last updated November 6, 2022. https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/programdevelopment/files/2017/07/Tipsheet7.pdf
2. UNH Survey Center, "Granite Staters Split on Parental Bill of Rights; Housing Most Important Problem Facing State 3/21/2023" (2023). All UNH Survey Center Polls. 732. https://scholars.unh.edu/survey_center_polls/732
3. UNH Survey Center “Granite State Poll Report for the Community Health Institute, Climate Change.” August 2022. Funded by NH DHHS/CDC.
Photo by Carl Cooley of a Carolina Wren.
Rarely seen in NH before two years ago but, with our warming climate, the Carolina’s Wren’s habitat has moved northward. As non-migratory birds, they are now at the mercy of unpredictable NH winters.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) voted last year at the Membership Assembly to update their Position Statement:
The Nurse’s Role in Addressing Global Climate Change and Human Health. The period for public comment is now open from May 2 through June 5, 2023 at 5:00 pm.
Consider reviewing the position statement found at the link below and offering comment. The ANA’s comment template asks for feedback on each of the key sections of the statement: Title & Purpose, Statement of Position, Background, Mitigation and Adaptation, Recommended Nursing Interventions, Innovation and Research, Nurses as Sources of Hope, Summary, Summary of Relevant ANA Policies, Publications and Initiatives, Glossary, and Additional Relevant Resources and References. The Public comment link.
Sustainability Corner: The Climate Impact of MDIs by Paul Friedrichs, MD
Did you know that changing the type of inhaler you use can reduce your carbon footprint as much as becoming a vegetarian? The hydrofluorocarbons used in MDIs (metered dose inhalers) for asthma and COPD are potent greenhouse gases– for example, the HFA227 use in a Symbicort MDI has 3,350 times the effect of CO2– whereas the carbon footprint of DPIs (dry powder inhalers) and soft mist inhalers are only in their manufacture, and hence a small fraction of the CO2 equivalent (CO2e).
The CO2e of one MDI is the equivalent of a 175 mile gasoline car trip, and regular use of an MDI can easily become the equivalent of an extra airplane trip per year. One investigator in the UK has estimated that the propellants in MDIs are contributing to 13% of the NHS's carbon footprint related to the delivery of care.
Alternative inhalers using dry powder or soft mist are available, in brands such as Advair Diskus, Airduo RespiClick, Pro-Air RespiClick, Pro-Air Digihaler, Flovent Diskus, Tudorza Pressair, Breo Ellipta, Asmanex Twisthaler, Pulmicort Flexhaler, Spriva Handihaler, Combivent Respimat, etc. In addition to daily maintenance therapy, long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) with inhaled corticosteroid, such as Advair Diskus and AirDuo RespiClick, are proven to be effective as “prn” reliever therapy and appropriate for use in milder asthma as well. Such LABA/steroid combinations are often preferred by patients and can also lead to better-controlled disease and less overuse of rescue inhalers.
Finally, authors of review articles on this subject also remind us that albuterol MDIs are often over-prescribed for patients complaining of cough who do not have asthma or reactive airway disease—a reason to at least test with office spirometry or peak flow meter before prescribing.
Because of course the easiest way to improve healthcare’s environmental sustainability is to refrain from unnecessary testing and treatment.
NH HWCA Climate Health Bookworms are reading the environmental movement classic, Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. The publisher notes:
"First published by Houghton Mifflin in 1962, Silent Spring alerted a large audience to the environmental and human dangers of indiscriminate use of pesticides, spurring revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land, and water. “Silent Spring became a runaway bestseller, with international reverberations . . . [It is] well crafted, fearless and succinct . . . Even if she had not inspired a generation of activists, Carson would prevail as one of the greatest nature writers in American letters” (Peter Matthiessen, for Time’s 100 Most Influential People of the Century).
This fortieth anniversary edition celebrates Rachel Carson’s watershed book with a new introduction by the author and activist Terry Tempest Williams and a new afterword by the acclaimed Rachel Carson biographer Linda Lear, who tells the story of Carson’s courageous defense of her truths in the face of ruthless assault from the chemical industry in the year following the publication of Silent Spring and before her untimely death in 1964."
The Bookworms had a lively discussion about Silent Spring at the meeting. Our readers felt the book was beautifully written, powerful, and more relevant than ever sixty years after its publication. The group agreed that much progress has been made with many harmful chemicals being banned since Silent Spring’s publication, but that many chemicals with questionable safety are still in use. Many parallels between issues in the book and current problems in New Hampshire were discussed, such as the “forever chemicals” like PFAS contaminating water supplies and pesticide treatment for mosquitos and ticks killing beneficial insects and pollinators.
The bookworms have chosen Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr for our next meeting on July 13th at 7:30pm on zoom. We will also discuss possible book options for future meetings! All are welcome to join!
Contact Emily Thompson at ethompson@nhclimatehealth.org for sign-on information.
Highlighted Webinar - Engaging Conservatives in Climate Action
Former South Carolina U.S. Representative, Republican Bob Inglis, presented an NH HWCA webinar on May 16th exploring how to engage conservatives in climate action. Inglis is founding chair of RepublicEn, an Eco Right advocacy group that “believes in the power of American free enterprise and innovation to solve climate change” and aims “to encourage, embolden, and applaud conservative climate leadership”. Inglis said he was first called to climate action in 2004 when running for Congress and his then 18 year old son, now an ER physician in Burlington Vermont, said he would vote for his Dad only if he “cleaned up his act on the environment”. A period of study and self-reflection ensued that included trips Antartica and the great barrier reef with leading scientists during which he experienced deepening appreciation, both intellectual and spiritual, of the existential nature of the climate crisis.
Inglis champions taxation of carbon emissions, including border-taxing of imports, as a policy he believes can reduce emissions, not only in the U.S., but more globally among our trade partners. He notes carbon taxes can engage all citizens, corporate and private, in greater awareness of the impact of their actions. He would eliminate employee payroll taxes to avoid a net tax increase and suggests this would particularly benefit lower income Americans who might experience relatively higher net incomes in the balance of carbon taxes and eliminated payroll taxes. As a tax neutral, essentially pay-as-you-go user fee, he believes this is a policy both liberals and conservatives could get behind. He noted that both enhanced U.S. regulations and energy tax credits have value as climate policies, but that neither address emissions beyond our borders and both are less likely to be embraced by conservatives.
Asked how liberals can talk to conservatives effectively about climate change, Inglis reflected on the importance of listening and being respectful, saying conservatives often feel dismissed and talked down to by liberals. And he suggested proffering solutions, such as carbon taxes, that conservatives can embrace, noting that people tend to reflexively ignore problems they can’t solve in ways consistent with their values. Inglis presented as exceptionally thoughtful and humane, a webinar is well worth an investment of time.
