Reducing Climate Impacts
What You Can Do
As climate change puts greater numbers of people at risk for exposure to neurotoxic pollutants, cities have the power to meaningfully increase safety for their most vulnerable residents.
By taking action today, you can help keep children safe from pollutants that cause lifelong neurodevelopmental harm. City governments can make a major impact on quality of life for their residents by taking action in the following areas:
Fewer neurotoxic pollutants in the air means fewer opportunities for exposure. City governments can improve air quality for residents by taking on projects and implementing policies that help remove existing pollutants from the air, and prevent further pollution:
- Planting trees and vegetative barriers near busy roads can help reduce the amount of pollutants in the air.
- Electrifying city fleets—and encouraging residents to make the transition to electric vehicles—can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Similarly, transitioning to solar energy in government buildings can set a strong precedent for residents.
Whatever a city’s budget, there are ways to meaningfully reduce exposures to toxic chemicals and improve public health.
An environmentally preferable purchasing strategy prioritizes toxics elimination, more clean recycled content, and community greenhouse gas reduction goals in the process of meeting the city’s needs.
By working to eliminate neurotoxic chemicals from your city’s purchases, you can significantly reduce exposures in the short-term, while helping your city remove toxics over the long-term—a key step on the road to a healthy, circular economy.
We are working to build a world that we are proud to pass on to our children. A world where they and their loved ones can thrive.
How to Take Action
Here are some specific steps you can take to get involved with Healthy Babies Bright Futures and reduce neurotoxic exposures in your city.
We want to co-create this future and to explore how our partnerships can grow and expand over time. Here are some specific steps you can take to get involved with Healthy Babies Bright Futures and reduce neurotoxic exposures in your city.
Take our free self-paced, virtual four-hour training to crystalize your understanding of the connection between climate and the neurological health of the people in your communities. Learn about the spectrum of solutions, how to speak effectively on the topic, and pragmatic opportunities to act and advocate. Access the training here using the code HBBFCfHAmbassador22.
“The Climate for Health Ambassador training will give you confidence to discuss the details of climate change and its impact on health — including neurological health — and evidence-based strategies for communications and local action. As an Ambassador, you will be part of a national network of peers sharing opportunities, best practices, and replication tools.”
— Ben Fulgencio-Turner, MPP, CPH, Climate for Health Director at ecoAmerica
At the municipal level, there are two clear opportunities to score a win-win for climate and neurological health—by reducing air toxics and driving environmentally preferable purchasing.
Reduce Air Toxics
- With Funding under $50K
Learn about Bright Cities projects in Phoenix AZ + Columbia SC - With Funding over $50K
Learn from leaders in Indianapolis IN + Louisville KY + Washington DC - Drive Environmentally Preferable Purchasing | Get started like Bright City Duluth MN
You are also invited to join like-minded local, state, and regional health leaders in the Climate for Health Leadership Circle. Nominate yourself or a colleague to join this community of practice.
Our Climate Ambassadors training is a project with the “Climate for Health” program at EcoAmerica. Climate for Health is a national network of health leaders committed to protecting the health and well-being of Americans in a changing climate.