14.3: Creating a Healthier Planet
CDC's Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) Framework
The Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) framework was created by the CDC to help cities include climate change in city planning. The five-step process that allows health officials to develop strategies and programs to help communities prepare for the health effects of climate change. This helps cities effectively anticipate, prepare for, and respond to a range of climate sensitive health impacts.
Living a Sustainable Lifestyle
Living a sustainable lifestyle, or a “green” lifestyle, means taking into consideration the health of the planet with decisions we make every day. Before considering what changes you could make, you may first want to get a better understanding how you personally contribute to global warming. What is your carbon footprint? There are many different carbon footprint calculators you can use, one is available on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
To reduce your impact on the planet you can start by reducing your consumption of water and energy. You can also become a more conscious consumer by reducing purchases and buying sustainable products.
Reduce Water
- Installing watersense labeled appliances will reduce your water use. Watersense is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping you save water.
- Fix leaking faucets.
- Water plants at night or early in the morning.
- Turn off sink when brushing teeth
- Take short showers instead of using the bath tub.
- Only run the dishwasher or clothes washer when full.
- Collect rainwater to use for watering plants
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Additional resources from Washington State Department of Ecology:
-
Water Conservation Resource Community
- American Water Works Association
- Water Conservation Communications Guide - American Water Works Association
- Water Use Efficiency (WUE) - Washington State Department of Health
- Water Conservation & The Possibilities - Learn About The Remarkable Opportunities Available Through Water Conservation
- Saving Water for the Future - Cascade Water Alliance
- Water Use it Wisely - Water-saving tips, for a variety of settings (indoor, outdoor, office etc.)
- How to Save Water - Grace Communications Foundation has tips for saving water, including shopping smarter and food choices.
- Saving Water Partnership - Seattle and participating water utilities; includes information for both residential and business water use.
- Water Smart, not Water Short - 5 ways to secure water for Washington’s future. Ecology publication #09-11-008
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Water Conservation Resource Community
- American Water Works Association
Reduce Energy
-
Energysaver.gov
provides numerous tips for reducing energy such as:
- Turn off and unplug appliances
- Insulate your home
- Choose energy efficient lighting and appliances
- Use renewable energy sources
- Choose energy efficient transportation options
- Install energy saving windows and doors
Reduce Waste: Reuse and Recycle
- Buy used materials
- Buy products with minimal packaging
- Buy reusable and not disposable products
- Fix products rather than throwing them away.
- Borrow or rent items that are used infrequently.
- Recycle to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill
Contributors and Attributions
Creative Commons
- Image of 3 R’s. Provided by: Pixabay. Located at: pixabay.com/en/recycle-reuse-reduce-3r-sign-306270/ License: Creative Commons Public Domain
Public Domain Content
- Sustainability. Authored by: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. Provided by: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Located at: https://www.cdc.gov/sustainability/index.htm License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright
- Climate and Health. Authored by: National Center for Environmental Health. Provided by: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Located at: https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/BRACE.htm License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright
- Energy Savers: Tips on saving money and energy at home. Authored by: Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Provided by: U.S. Department of Energy. Located at: https://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright
- Watersense. Authored by: U.S. Environmental Protections Agency. Located at: https://www.epa.gov/watersense License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright
- Water conservation: It all starts with you. Authored by: Department of Ecology, State of Washington. Provided by: Washington State Department of Ecology. Located at: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/ws/wtrcnsv.html License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Authored by: United States Environmental Protection Agency. Provided by: United States Environmental Protection Agency. Located at: https://www.epa.gov/recycle License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright
- Image of When you throw something away, where does it go? Authored by: United States Environmental Protection Agency. Provided by: United States Environmental Protection Agency. Located at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usepagov/13742337883 License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright