Chairwoman Johnson Statement on 2020 Lancet 2020 Countdown on Health and Climate Change Global Report and U.S. Policy Brief

Today, The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, launched its 2020 Countdown on Health and Climate Change Global Report and U.S. Policy Brief. The annual report and brief, which the Lancet has released since 2016, tracks the impact of climate change on human health. This year’s brief highlights the role of climate change in exacerbating health inequities and injustices. It provides recommendations such as transitioning to healthy, sustainable agricultural practices, removing U.S. fossil fuel subsidies, and strengthening the public health system as important steps to protecting citizens from the health impacts of climate change.

Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following statement. 



“We must treat climate change, equity, and health as interconnected, and deserving of a holistic and effective policy approach. The Lancet Countdown’s recommendations are well aligned with the Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s work to understand the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, and to address the climate crisis through robust investments in clean energy research and development activities. It is made clear by the report that there is an urgent need for these efforts which are critical to providing equitable improvements to public health for every American, and I am encouraged to see the broad research collaborations across multiple disciplines that went into the development of these recommendations.”