Table of Contents
American Lung Association’s Landmark Report
A new report from the American Lung Association (ALA) proposes that the transition to electric vehicles and clean power in the United States could prevent nearly three million asthma attacks in children by 2050 and save hundreds of infant lives. This significant transition could also avert millions of other respiratory symptoms, highlighting the potential health benefits and the importance of a zero-emission future for lung health and addressing climate change.
Preventing Pediatric Asthma Attacks, Acute Bronchitis, and Infant Mortality
The ALA has emphasized the potential health benefits of a zero-emission future, including the prevention of pediatric asthma attacks, acute bronchitis cases, and infant mortality. Emphasizing the urgent need to reduce emissions from vehicles and electricity, the ALA is calling for ambitious but achievable climate goals, such as transitioning to zero-emission vehicles and clean energy, to be met.
Implications for Michigan and Pennsylvania
According to the ALA’s reports, if all new passenger vehicles sold are zero-emission by 2035 and all new trucks sold are zero-emission by 2040, the health of children in Michigan would dramatically improve. This transition would prevent 97,400 pediatric asthma attacks and hundreds of thousands of other respiratory symptoms by 2050. In Pennsylvania, the same transition would prevent 148,000 pediatric asthma attacks and thousands of other respiratory symptoms.
Transportation, Air Pollution, and Children’s Health
The transportation sector is a leading source of air pollution and carbon pollution in many states, directly affecting children’s health and wellbeing. Notably, transitioning to zero-emission transportation powered by clean, non-combustion energy would help prevent 2.79 million pediatric asthma attacks nationally and save more than 500 infant lives by 2050.
Zeroing In On Healthy Air: The Comprehensive Report
This report stems from the more comprehensive March 2022 American Lung Association “Zeroing In On Healthy Air” report, which illustrates $1.2 trillion in public health benefits could be achieved through this transition to zero-emissions in the United States. It is a clear call for Federal and State policymakers to support children’s health by cutting harmful air pollution and climate change that threatens their future.
Call to Action: Ambitious Climate Goals and Policies
The American Lung Association is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize strong pollution limits for new cars and trucks that drive a nationwide transition to zero-emission vehicles. This report also urges states like Pennsylvania to join the growing list of states to enact the Advanced Clean Trucks standards to curb diesel exhaust and bring more zero emission trucks home to improve the health of children and their futures.
The Long-term Vision: A Zero-Emission Future
The ALA’s report titled ‘Boosting Health for Children: Benefits of Zero-Emission Transportation and Electricity’ outlines a vision for a zero-emission future to combat climate change and its impacts on children’s health. This vision rests on a transition where the nation’s electric grid will be powered by clean, non-combustion renewable energy by 2035. It’s a call to action for policymakers to support children’s health by cutting harmful air pollution and climate change, mitigating future health risks and ensuring a healthier environment for children’s growth and development.
