"Florida's Healthy Solar Energy Future" Todd L Sack MD Borland-Groover Clinic Physicians for Social Responsibility

About the speaker… Gastroenterologist in Jacksonville, FL Past Chair, Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board Past Chair, Climate Change Advisory Group for Florida Energy Commission Past Member, Florida Energy Commission Editor, Board member, Physician for Social Responsibility

"Florida's Healthy Solar Energy Future" Climate change & human health Florida’s climate response The 2016 Election What you can do in 2016

Increasing Atmospheric Levels of Greenhouse Gases

More than half of global CO 2 emissions released since 1988 Data sources: Boden et al. 2013; La Quéré et al. 2014

Observed global warming About 0.85° C global warming so far Courtesy: D Liverman

US EPA 100 Year Climate Trends

Warming clearly not related to 11- year solar “sun spot” cycle (in red) ~97% of climate scientists (out of >4,000 surveyed) agree that today’s heating of the earth is human-caused, primarily from burning fossil fuels, and by deforestation. Doran & Zimmerman, 2009; Anderegg et al. 2010, PNAS.

CLIMATE CHANGE Temperature Rise Sea level Rise Hydrologic Extremes: storms. droughts Urban Heat Island Effect Air Pollution & Aeroallergens Vector-borne Diseases Water-borne Diseases Water resources & food supply Mental Health & Environmental Refugees Heat StCardiorespiratoryfailure Respiratory diseases, e.g., Malaria Dengue Encephalitis Hantavirus Rift Valley Fever Cholera Cyclospor Cryptosporidiosis Campylobacter Leptospirosis Malnutrition Diarrhea Toxic Red Tides Forced Migration Overcrowding Infectious diseases Human Conflicts 1 3°C by yr cm IPCC estimatehhhhhhs Patz, 1998 HEALTH EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

HEAT WAVE - EUROPE Heat Index Summer 2003  45,000 deaths in 11 days Vandentorren et al. Mortality in 13 French cities during the August 2003 heat wave. Am J Public Health 2004; 94(9): TIME LINE (FRANCE)

Costs of cleaner energy: <$30/ ton CO2 West et al Benefits of cleaner energy: $200/ ton C02 $200*/ tCO 2 WHICH NUMBER IS BIGGER??? (* Range: $50 to $380) For E. Asia, co-benefits are 10 to 70 times greater

Solar Energy: Key Facts Price has dropped 80% in 20 years Solar installation is booming in some markets: CA, NY, HI Subsidies are needed…but not as much One 3500-acre Nevada solar “farm” has 390 MW capacity SW USA desert could generate 680 GW capacity, 7 times the current US electricity needs Renewable energy, battery storage, and wise energy use could replace ALL fossil fuel use for electricity Health benefits easily pay for solar energy

Florida’s Climate Timeline June 07: 2007 Florida Energy Act vetoed Dec 07: Florida Energy Commission report 2008 Florida Legislation passed: FL Energy Conservation & Climate Protection Act FL Renewable Energies Technologies & Energy Efficiency Act 2010: Governor Scott elected Dec 15: Paris COP21 meeting of 135 nations 2016: Amendments 4 & 1

“Floridians Understand Climate Change” UT Austin Poll of Florida adults: “Climate change is occurring” 63% 81% “not occurring” 26% 9% “don’t know” 11% 10% “Is occurring”: US Democrats 90% Republicans 54%

The 2016 Election Amendment 4: Solar Devices…Exemption from Certain Taxes & Assessment” (in August) Lower installation costs and prevents property tax rises Amendment 1: “Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice” in November” Supported by the electric utility industry Utilities claim subsidies are unfair ($0.50 / family / yr in Jacksonville) Discourages private solar panels by creating high hookup fees

What You Can Do In 2016 Talk about renewable energy, especially solar for Florida Emphasize the health & economic benefits “Please don’t be shy”: discuss climate change openly Install a solar system: a. “Solar thermal”: home hot water b. “photovoltaic system”: electricity Please vote: “For 4, Against 1”

"Florida's Healthy Solar Energy Future" Todd L Sack MD Borland-Groover Clinic Physicians for Social Responsibility “Thank you !”