press release healthy climate solutions tour

1. Contact: Lydia Green FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Telephone: (650) 814-6024
Email: lgreen@climate911.org
Date: 6/31/2016
Doctors with Puppets Say Climate Solutions Reduce Diabetes and Asthma
Friday, June 31, 2016, SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. –
Health professionals and students from Climate 911 are touring the San Joaquin and
Mississippi River valleys this summer with a free bilingual puppet comedy about climate
solutions and the substantial health benefits to be gained by adopting them. Their show,
titled D.O.G.S., will visit 13 communities in California's Central Valley between July 8-
23. A schedule of performances is posted on the group's website: www.climate911.org
D.O.G.S. stands for Dozens Of Good Solutions. “The main characters are two dogs who
train their owners to cut carbon pollution in half. We can't tell you more without spoiling
the show” says fourth year medical student Chelsea Thibodeau. The show is designed to
be entertaining for children and adults and is in Spanglish so that both English and
Spanish speaking audience members can follow the action.
“Health professionals want people to know that not all good medicine tastes bad”, says
Dr. Wendy Ring, a puppet wielding family physician from northern California. “We have
a large body of research telling us that climate solutions will make us healthier. More
sustainable energy, transportation, and food will save hundreds of thousands of lives by
reducing chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and asthma. Not all good medicine is
expensive either. Economic analyses consistently show that the health savings from these
solutions far outweigh the cost.”
Thibodeau adds: “The Central Valley has the most to gain from solutions because it has
the worst air pollution and the highest rates of chronic disease in the state.”
Climate 911 is a national network of health professionals and students who advocate for
climate action. Public education is an important part of their strategy. Ring says “We've
sent our experts to testify before federal agencies, written letters, signed petitions, and
submitted meticulously researched reports, but Congress won't respond until their
constituents push them into it. We want people to know that good solutions exist and that
the roadblock is political, not technical, so they will go out and vote for candidates who
support climate solutions.”
About Climate 911
Climate 911 is a national network of health professionals and students who advocate for
policies which decrease greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health. For more
information about the group, the health benefits of climate solutions, or their Healthy
Climate Solutions Tour, visit www.climate911.org
About Dr. Ring
Trained at Yale and Columbia Universities, Dr. Ring was the Medical Director of a
community health center in Humboldt County for over 20 years. She has been recognized
by the U.S. Congress, the California legislature, and the American Medical Association
for her work in improving access to care for the underserved and was once named one of
America's Best Healers by Reader's Digest.
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2. Sources
Health and Climate Change: Policy Responses to Protect Public Health. Lancet
Commission on Health and Climate Change 2015
http://www.thelancet.com/commissions/climate-change
Accessed June 31, 2016
Climate and health impacts of US emissions reductions consistent with 2 °C.
Shindell, D. et al http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/v6/n5/full/nclimate2935.html
Accessed June 31,2016
Chronic diseases take their toll among central San Joaquin Valley residents.
Fresno Bee, April 11, 2015 http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article19648839.html
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