HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0279.001 2022-2024 Mvv os p�h Phone: (808)961-8828
HEATHER L. KIMBALL <P..'•' +,
COUNCIL CHAIR u'• Fax: (808)961-8912
Council District 1 (North Hilo, •' i• Email:Heather.Kimballna�hawaiicounty
Hdmdkua, and portion of Waimea) • —
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HAWAII COUNTY COUNCILCD
25 Aupuni Street, Ste. 1402.
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
TO: Members of the Hawaii County Council
r
FROM:Vtr'0"'Heather L. Kimball, Council Chair
DATE: May 12, 2023
SUBJECT: Supporting Documents for Bill 48-23
Aloha,
Attached please find documents relevant to the discussion of bill 48-23 that proposed the
creation on an office of sustainability, climate, equity and resilience in the County. Documents
include:
• A selection from the NACo Supplemental to the Inflation Reduction Act Analysis,
Breakdown of Climate and Energy Funding Opportunities for Counties
• A description of the Justice 40 Initiative and a County map of Justice 40 census blocks
• A draft outline for the expansion of Chapter 37
• A 2023 EPA report on climate change and children's health and well-being in the United
States
Comm. No.
Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.Ref.To: OrR
Ref. Date MAY 16 2023
IRA BY THE NUMBERS
The IRA invests approximately $400 billion in climate Tax credits form the majority of the clean energy
and energy across a variety of different sectors, spending in the IRA, The incentives are intended to
including; encourage investment in clean energy development,
• Energy Generation & Deployment:$1774 deployment, manufacturing and transportation.
billion Notably for county governments, many of the tax
incentives in the IRA are available to tax-exempt
• Clean Manufacturing:$46.6 billion entities under a direct pay option. The direct pay
• Electrification of Commercial and Residential option provides a new pathway for counties to access
Housing: $478 billion these tax credits that previously have only been
• Addressing Air Pollution& Emissions available to tax-paying entities.Instead of receiving the
Reduction: $46.4 billion credit, counties will be able to apply for and receive
• Clean Transportation:$374 billion a refund equal to the amount of the credit, As of
• Agriculture& Rural Affairs:$38,9 billion publication,the U.S.Department of the Treasury,which
is responsible for implementing the tax provisions of
• Resiliency: $14.5 billion the IRA, has not yet released guidelines on how tax
• Federal Permitting: $1 billion exempt entities can claim the direct pay option.
It delivers this funding through several different
Much of the IRA's impact will depend on who utilizes
financing mechanisms, including;
these tax incentives and to what extent, As such,
Tax incentives county governments play a significant role in both
• Grants making our communities aware of the available
• Loans credits and in taking advantage of these incentives
Rebates themselves,
• Contracts $46.5 B
$177.4 B
BY THE NUMBERS: :w $47.88
Funding by Sector ��
ENERGY GENERATION&DEPLOYMENT
CLEAN MANUFACTURING $400 BILLION
ELECTRIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL&RESIDENTIAL HOUSING
ADDRESSING AIR POLLUTION&EMISSIONS REDUCTION 1 ~ $46.4 B
CLEAN TRANSPORTATION 4P
AGRICULTURE&RURAL AFFAIRS
RESILIENCY
FEDERAL PERMITTING �— $37.4 B
$1B
$14.5 B $38.9 8
PAGES NACo Sijopiernentat i tsation He.du t � ;,ii
Breakdown of climate& Energy Funding Opportunities for Counties
Given the widespread nature of the IRA, county IRA Funding Matrix for Counties
governments will play a critical role in navigating the
GLOSSARY
different funding streams and organizing relevant
• U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA)
stakeholders to fully realize the benefits offered by the
law. Several counties already have sustainability and U.S. Department of Energy(DOE)
climate offices in place and divisions such as these are U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
well positioned to coordinate across different county Development(HUD)
departments, partner with relevant federal, state and U.S, Department of the Interior (DO[)
regional offices and work with the local community in U,S. Department of Transportation(USDOT)
order to reach the county's climate and energy goals, . U.S. Department of the Treasury(Treasury)
To that end, this document offers a chart of funding . U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)
opportunities directly available to counties. . U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
Program Funding Category Agency Funding New or How Can Program Description
Name Mechanism level Existing Counties
Program? Access?
Credit for Tax Credit Addressing Treasury $3.2 billion Existing Apply directly Tax credit for carbon
Carbon Oxide Air Pollution (estimated but to Treasury sequestration projects
Sequestration &Emissions no Ceding) under the
Reduction direct pay
option
Greenhouse Grants Addressing EPA $27 billion New Apply directly Grants to encourage the
Gas Reduction Air Pollution to EPA leveraging of public dollars
Fund &Emissions with private financing to reduce
Reduction greenhouse gas emissions
Addressing Grants Addressing EPA $50 million New Apply directly Grants to monitor and reduce
Air Pollution at Air Pollution to EPA greenhouse gas emissions and
Schools &Emissions other air pollution at schools in
Reduction low-income and disadvantaged
communities
American Grants Addressing EPA $38.5 New Apply directly Grants to reduce production
Innovation and Air Pollution million to DOE and consumption of
Manufacturing &Emissions hydrofluorocarbons
Act Grants Reduction
Methane Grants Addressing EPA $1.55 billion New Apply directly Grants to reduce methane and
Emissions Air Pollution to DOE other greenhouse gas emissions
Reduction &Emissions from petroleum and natural gas
Program Reduction systems and mitigate legacy air
pollution from these systems
NAC,, Supplemental to inflation Reduction Act Analysis: PAGE 5
Breakdown of Climate&Energy Funding Opportunities for Counties
i
Program Funding Category Agency Funding New or Now Can Program Description
Name Mechanism Level Existing Counties
Program? Access?
Climate Grants Addressing EPA $5 billion New Apply directly Grants to support greenhouse
Pollution Air Pollution to EPA gas air pollution planning and
Reduction &Emissions implementation activities
Grants Reduction
Environmental Grants Addressing EPA $3 billion New Apply directly Grants to support environmental
and Climate Air Pollution to EPA justice projects that benefit
Justice Block &Emissions disadvantaged communities
Grants Reduction
Addressing Grants Addressing EPA $1175 Existing Apply directly Grants to deploy,integrate,
Air Pollution: Air Pollution million to EPA support and maintain fenceline
Fenceline Air &Emissions air monitoring,screening air
Monitoring Reduction monitoring,national air toxics
trend stations and other air toxics
and community monitoring
Addressing Grants Addressing EPA $50 million Existing Apply directly Grants to expand and maintain
Air Pollution: Air Pollution to EPA the national ambient air quality
Multipollutant &Emissions monitoring network
Monitoring Reduction
Addressing Grants Addressing EPA $3 million Existing Apply directly Grants to deploy,integrate and
Air Pollution: Air Pollution to EPA operate air quality sensors in
Air Quality &Emissions low-income and disadvantaged
Sensors in Low- Reduction communities
Income and
Disadvantaged
Communities
Addressing Grants Addressing EPA $15 million Existing Apply directly Grants for testing and other
Air Pollution, Air Pollution to EPA activities to address emissions
Emissions from &Emissions from wood heaters
Wood Heaters Reduction
Addressing Grants Addressing EPA $20 million Existing Apply directly Grants to monitor methane
Air Pollution: Air Pollution to EPA emissions
Methane &Emissions
Monitoring Reduction
Addressing Air Grants Addressing EPA $25 million Existing Apply directly Grants to support a national
Pollution:Clean Air Pollution to EPA research and development
Air Act Grants &Emissions program and air pollution and
Reduction control programs
Electric Loans Loans Agriculture&Rural USDA $1 billion Existing Apply directly Loans for rural renewable energy
for Renewable Affairs to USDA projects,including energy storage
Energy projects
Higher Blend Grants Agriculture&Rural USDA $500 Existing Apply directly Grants to increase the sale and
Infrastructure Affairs million to USDA use of agricultural commodity-
Incentive based fuels through infrastructure
Program improvements for blending,
storing,supplying or distributing
biofuels
PAGE B NACo Supplementa;to Inflation Reduction Act Analysis.
Breakdown of Climate& Energy Funding Opportunities for Counties
Program Funding Category Agency Funding New or Now Can i Program Description
Name Mechanism Level Existing Counties
Program? Access?
Regional Grants Agriculture&Rural USDA $4.95 billion Existing Apply directly Grants to support partnerships
Conservation Affairs to USDA focused on conservation
Partnership
Program
Advanced Tax Credit Clean Treasury $10 billion Existing Apply directly Competitive tax credit for
Energy Project Manufacturing to Treasury projects that reequip,expand or
Credit underthe establish qualifying clean energy
direct pay manufacturing facilities
option
Advanced Tax Credit Clean Treasury $30.6 billion New Apply directly Tax credit for the production and
Manufacturing Manufacturing (estimatedbut to Treasury sale of eligible components of
Production no ceding) underthe wind and solar structures
Credit direct pay
option
Alternative Tax Credit Clean Treasury $1.7 billion Existing Apply directly Tax credit for the cost of the
Fuel Vehicle Transportation (estimated but to Treasury installation of alternative fuel
Refueling no ceiling) under the vehicle refueling infrastructure
Property Credit direct pay
option
Credit for Tax Credit Clean Treasury $3.6 billion New Apply directly Tax credit for the cost of eligible
Qualified Transportation (estimated but to Treasury commercial clean vehicles,
Commercial no ceding) underthe such as zero-emission buses or
Clean Vehicles direct pay garbage trucks
option
Clean Fuel Tax Credit Clean Treasury $3 billion New Apply directly Technology-neutral clean fuel
Production Tax Transportation (estirrotedbut to Treasury production tax credit
Credit no ceiling) underthe
direct pay
option
Clean Heavy- Grants Clean EPA $1 billion New Apply directly Grants for low-and zero-emission
Duty Vehicles Transportation to EPA heavy duty vehicles and related
infrastructure
Reducing Air Grants Clean EPA $3 billion New Apply directly Grants and rebates to reduce
Pollution at Transportation to EPA pollution at ports
Ports
Diesel Grants Clean EPA $60 million Existing Apply directly Grants to identify and reduce
Emissions Transportation to EPA diesel emissions due to goods
Reductions movement facilities in low-income
and disadvantaged communities
Neighborhood Grants Clean USDOT $3.2 billion New Apply directly Grants to improve walkability,
Access and Transportation to USDOT safety and affordable
Equity Grant transportation access;mitigate or
Program remediate adverse impacts from
surface transportation facilities;
and enhance planning and
capacity building in underserved
communities
NACo Supplemental to Inflation Reduction Act Analysis: PAU7
Breakdown of Climate& Energy Funding Opportunities for Counties
Program Funding Category Agency Funding New or how Can program Description
Name Mechanism Laval Existing Counties
Program? Access?
Fueling Grants Clean USDOT $291 million New Apply directly Grants for projects that
Aviation's Transportation to USDOT produce,transport,blend or
Sustainable store sustainable aviation fuel
Transition or develop,demonstrate or
apply low-emission aviation
technologies
Integrated Grants Addressing EPA $3 million New Apply directly Grants to update air
Compliance Air Pollution to EPA pollution control systems for
Information &Emissions communication purposes
System Grants Reduction
High-Efficiency Rebates Electrification DOE $4.5 billion New Apply to state Grants to develop state high-
Electric Home of Commercial high-efficiency efficiency electric home rebate
Rebate Program and Residential electric programs for low-or moderate-
Buildings home rebate income households
program
Assistance for Grants Electrification DOE $1 billion New Apply directly Grants to support the adoption of
Latest and Zero of Commercial to DOE the latest energy or zero-energy
Building Energy and Residential building codes
Code Adoption Buildings
Renewable Tax Credit Energy Generation Treasury $51 billion Existing Apply directly Renewable energy production tax
Energy &Deployment (estimatedbut to Treasury credit
Production Tax no ceiling) under the
Credit direct pay
option
Investment Tax Credit Energy Generation Treasury $14 billion Existing Apply directly Renewable energy property
Tax Credit for &Deployment (estimated but to Treasury investment tax credit
Energy Property no ceiling) underthe
direct pay
option
Zero-Emission Tax Credit Energy Generation Treasury $30 billion New Apply directly Zero-emission nuclear power
Nuclear Power &Deployment ;estimated but to Treasury production tax credit
Production no ceiling) under the
Credit direct pay
option
Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit Energy Generation Treasury $13.1 billion New Apply directly Clean hydrogen production tax
Production Tax &Deployment (estimated but to Treasury credit
Credit noceiting) under the
direct pay
option
Clean Electricity Tax Credit Energy Generation Treasury $112 billion New Apply directly Technology-neutral clean
Production Tax &Deployment (estimated but to Treasury electricity production tax credit
Credit no ceNng) under the
direct pay
option
Clean Electricity Tax Credit Energy Generation Treasury $50.8 billion New Apply directly Technology-neutral clean
Investment Tax &Deployment (estimated but to Treasury electricity investment tax credit
Credit no ceiling) under the
direct pay
option
PA6E8 NACo Supplemental to inflation Reductior Act Analysis:
Breakdown of Climate& Energy Funding Opportunities for Counties
Program Funding Category Agency Funding New orHow Can Program Description
Name Mechanism level Existing Counties
Program? Access?
Department of Loans Energy Generation DOE $3.6 billion Existing Apply directly Authorizes$40 billion in loan
Energy loco &Deployment to DOE guarantee authority to provide
Programs Office loans for a range of energy
projects that aim to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions
through the utilization of new
technologies
Grants to Grants Energy Generation DOE $760 million New Apply directly Grants to transmission siting
Facilitate &Deployment to DOE projects
the Siting
of Interstate
Electricity
Transmission
Lines
Competitive Grants Resiliency USFS $450 Existing Apply directly Grants to carry out climate
Grants for million to USES mitigation or forest resilience
Non-Federal activities
Foresters
Domestic Water Grants Resiliency DOI $550 million New Apply directly Grants for projects to increase
Supply Projects to DOI water supply to communities
or households that don't have
reliable access to water
Drought Grants Resiliency DOI $4 billion New Apply directly Grants to mitigate the impacts of
Mitigation to DOI drought,with an emphasis on the
Colorado River Basin and other
basins experiencing similar levels
of drought
Forest Legacy Grants Resiliency USFS $700 million Existing Apply through Grants for the acquisition of land
Program state and interest in land
Investing Grants Resiliency NOAA $2.6 billion Existing Apply directly Grants for conservation and
in Coastal to NOAA restoration of coastal and marine
Communities habitats and resources
and Climate
Resilience
Urban and Grants Resiliency USFS $1.5 billion Existing Apply directly Grants for tree planning and
Community to USFS related activities
Forestry
Assistance
Wood Grants Resiliency USFS $100 million Existing Apply directly Grants to expand the use of wood
Innovations to USFS products,strengthen emerging
Grant Program wood markets and support active
management to boost forest
health and resilience
NACo Supplemental to Inflation Reduction Act Analysis; ?AGy
Federal Justice 40 Program
What is the Justice40 Initiative? For the first time in our nation's history,the Federal Government has
made it a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to
disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.
President Biden made this historic commitment when he signed Executive Order 14008 within days of
taking office.
What kinds of investments fall within the Justice40 Initiative?The categories of investment are:climate
change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit,affordable and sustainable housing,training
and workforce development, remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, and the development of
critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure.
How is the Administration implementing the Justice40 Initiative?A national commitment to
environmental justice of this magnitude has never been made before.To meet the goal of the Justice40
Initiative,the Administration is transforming hundreds of Federal programs across the government to
ensure that disadvantaged communities receive the benefits of new and existing Federal investments in
these categories.Through the President's Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the
American Rescue Plan, Federal agencies are making historic levels of investment to advance
environmental justice.This investment will help confront decades of underinvestment in disadvantaged
communities,and bring critical resources to communities that have been overburdened by legacy
pollution and environmental hazards.
Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaliuslice/mustice40/
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Justice 40 Communities in Hawaii County
Bill 48, The Collectivec 1 and Proposedi ter 37
Bill 48 is a legislative framework to stand up the Office of Sustainability, Climate Change, Equity
and Resilience (OSCER), and to create a Chapter of Code dedicated to policies, goals, and
targets related to Sustainability, Climate Change, Equity, and Resilience utilizing the Collective
Impact Model.
Opportunity: Hawaii County has been creating a roadmap to a sustainable and
equitable future. We have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both the public and
private sector. As a result, our County has the opportunity to accelerate our progress on
the implementation of sustainability, climate mitigation and adaptation, and resilience
actions. With OSCER creating new partnerships and incorporating Native Hawaiian
traditional knowledge, we can serve as a resource for the demonstration of best
practices and an inspiration for other communities.
Risks: Our geography and location present several challenges, including extreme
dependence on energy and food imports and susceptibility to the consequences of
climate change.Through the pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn, our
vulnerability to outside market forces and supply chain issues once again came to the
fore. OSCER can support existing efforts to mitigate these through emissions reduction,
energy efficiency, and local food production measures, and renewed attention to
diversifying our economy to provide greater stability.
legacy:To create an enduring legacy for future generations, it is necessary to create a
permanent and action-oriented office that will ensure that the progress in developing
sustainability, climate mitigation and adaptation, and resilience strategies continues
after we move on. Our kuleana is to enable our island and our children to thrive despite
the impacts of a changing climate and other threats to our island home.
Ureency:There is an urgency to create such an office. It is widely accepted that there is
a need to increase self-sustainability, address the local effects and causes of climate
change and to protect the natural resources of our County without delay.The costs of
accelerating the implementation of adaptation efforts now will be outweighed by
avoided costs in the future.There is also an unprecedented level of funding from the
Federal Inflation Reduction Act(IRA).This level of funding for sustainability, climate
change mitigation and adaptation, and resilience efforts is unlikely to ever be available
again in our lifetimes.
Expected Benefits of OSCER
• Enables an action-oriented focus on the County's long-term sustainability, climate,
equity, and resilience goals and the development of policies required for those actions
to be sustained.
• Ensures adaptation and resilience efforts benefit all households, particularly focusing on
our LMI and ALICE households, and traditionally marginalized communities.
• Enables the coordination of relevant actions and policies across County departments
and with community stakeholders to maximize the impact of sustainability, mitigation
and adaptation, and resilience measures and reduce overall costs.
• Enables a single office for technical support and funding resources to assist in
adaptation and resilience efforts across County departments.
The Collective Impact Model
OSCER has been developed based in the collective impact model. The collective impact model
was first proposed by John Kania & Mark Kramer in the Stanford Social Innovation Review of
2011 as a new approach to create effective and lasting social change. This chart from their 2013
article, "Embracing Emergence: How Collective Impact Addresses Complexity", describes the
five components of the collective impact model.
The Five Conditions of Collective Impact
Common Agt2nna All participants have a shared vision for change including a
common understanding of the problem and a Joint approach to
solving it through agreed upon actions.
Shared Measurement Collecting data and measuring results consistently across all
participants ensures efforts remain aligned and participants hold
each other accountable.
Mutually Reliuorctng Participant activities must be differentiated while still being
Activities coordinated through a mutually reinforcing plan of action.
Continuous Counrnunl- Consistent and open communication Is needed across the
cation many players to build trust,assure mutual objectives,and create
common motivation_
Backbone Support Creating and managing collective Impact requires a separate
organlzationls)with staff and a specific set of skills to serve as
the backbone for the entire initiative and coordinate participat-
ing organizations and agencies.
With OSCER established in Bill 48 with a broad description of the office policies and goals, the
long term objective will be to follow up with a more comprehensive package of policies that
codify past commitments made by the County, align targets and goals with County and State
plans, and more specifically outline the duties and responsibilities for OSCER to meet those
commitments. Without being too prescriptive in Bill 48, we wanted to grant flexibility to the
administrator to scope out the issues at hand, identify their priority areas, and to coordinate
with stakeholders both internally and externally, which will lead to the expansion of Chapter 37
created in Bill 48.
Proposed expansion of Chapter 37 will address the following in the Collective Impact o e
framework:
. Common Agenda:
Sustainability
Energy, electricity, and alternative fuels
Transportation and multi-modal transit systems
Traditional and indigenous natural resource management and protection
Waste management and reduction, circular economy
Sustainable agriculture and food security
Regenerative and sustainable tourism
Green workforce development
Place-based, equitable community development
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Climate mitigation and pollution reduction
Climate adaptation and resilience actions
Climate action planning program
Equity and Environmental Justice
Equity and environmental justice program.
Equitable and place-based community engagement
Disaster Recovery and Risk and Hazard Mitigation
Pre-disaster multi-hazard mitigation program
Long-term disaster recovery
Framework continued...
2. Shared Measurment:
Monitoring and Reporting
Policy area benchmarks
Data collection and reporting standards
Monitoring and evaluation
Annual sustainability, climate, equity, and resilience report
3. Mutually Reinforcing Activities:
Budget and Implementation olicy
Implementation policy and program development
Legislation
Budget recommendations
Grants and funding opportunities
Climate action revolving fund programs
. Continuous Communication:
Internal and External Outreach
Stakeholder engagement
Interdepartmental collaboration
Communication and Information Sharing
S. OSCER will serve as the Backbone Support
Policy and Program Development (Administrator)
Chapter 37 will be expanded to outline policies, programs, goals and targets the County
will need to adequately address sustainability and climate change related issues.The
types of policies and programs will address energy,transportation, waste management,
natural resource management, and sustainable development of economic industries.
The OSCER administrator will be responsible for the development of these policies.
Policies and programs created in the next bill will include policy statements that set the
parameters and goals, as well as develop incentives and guidelines, which will lead to
sustainable, equitable, and resilient development aligned with County, State, and
Federal targets.
Shared etrics (Data Analysis and Visualization Specialist)
There will also be a framework for monitoring and implementing the County's progress
on climate change, hazard mitigation, and long term resilience actions, as well as
guidelines on ensuring equitable opportunity and outcomes of public engagement. This
work will be led by a data analyst and visualization specialist. The office will have the
kuleana of an annual sustainability report which will report on the policies and programs
set forth.
Legislation® Budget and Grants(Policy analyst and Grant Specialist)
The office will have a policy analyst position to provide input and recommendations on
proposed legislation for alignment with the goals and targets set forth in Chapter 37,
and will also provide best practice recommendations that have demonstrated success in
other municipalities.The office will be responsible for tracking Federal and State policy
changes and intervening in State and Federal legislative processes to ensure equitable
implementation for Hawaii County. OSCER will provide budget recommendations to
ensure that the County is budgeting for the desired outcomes in the program areas.
OSCER will have a grant specialist to provide technical support for grant applications and
coordinate grant projects with other entities that address the policies and goals in this
Chapter.
Coordination,collaboration,and education (Communications and Outreach Specialist)
The policies and goals in Chapter 37 shall be coordinated by OSCER and executed in
partnership with the appropriate County departments and external stakeholders.The
office shall be responsible for ongoing monitoring and reporting of the data, metrics,
and benchmarks prescribed in the Chapter. Expansion of Chapter 37 will clarify that
OSCER will be a supporting agency to assist stakeholders in building capacity, securing
Federal funding, and developing tools to meet the goals and targets set in the Chapter.
The communications and outreach specialist will ensure that there is constant
communication between stakeholders and create opportunities for feedback on the
functions of the office.
Climate Change and Children's Health and Well-Being in the United States
Summary for Parents and Caregivers
Climate change is already affecting the health and well-being of For , details, ,,
se see
Americans. Children are uniquely vulnerable in part because they the report, appendices, and
are growing and developing. Children—especially younger data linked below.
children—also have less control over their environment, less
knowledge about health effects from climate change, and are less EPA able to remove themselves from harm. Climate impacts can have
lifelong consequences stemming from effects on learning ability,
physical development, chronic disease, or other complications.
This factsheet summarizes findings from EPA's report Climate Change and Children's Health and
Well-Being in the United States, which quantifies future health risks to children for a sub-set of key
impacts, in addition to reviewing a broader set of pathways in which children are affected by climate
stressors.The analyses presented in this report are part of the EPA's Climate Change Impacts and
Risk Analysis (CIRA) project, a framework quantifying and monetizing the impacts of climate change
in the U.S. Some of the findings most relevant to parents and caregivers are summarized in the pages
that follow by climate stressor.The pages also identify the ways parents and caregivers can reduce
risks to children.
W�gll
X
v �f
April 2023 EPA 430-R-23-001
Climate Change and Children's Health and Well-Being in the United States
Extreme Heat
Extreme heat, including sustained high temperatures and heat waves, can have a
_ variety of effects on children's physical and psychosocial health and cognitive
capabilities. Effects may include overheating, dehydration, and death, as well as premature birth or
low birth weight, clinical psychological impacts, and an inability to concentrate or learn.
WHAT DID THIS WHAT EMERGING ISSUES
REPORT FIND? - SHOULD PARENTS AND
Heat experienced CAREGIVERS BE AWARE OF?
during the school year The number of emergency
affects learning in department visits among
children.This report children is expected to increase
projects a reduction in between May and September
annual academic each year as summer
achievement per child temperatures continue to rise,
of 4% under a moderate up to tens of thousands of
level of warming (2°C). additional visits annually.
These losses can affect
future income, with David L.Ryon/The Boston Globe via Getty Images &
potential losses across cohorts of graduating students
reaching billions of dollars annually, even under more
moderate warming scenarios. Installing air conditioning
(A/C) in schools is generally less costly, although this
action only partially mitigates these effects. Black,
Hispanic or Latino, and low-income students report the
lowest rates of current A/C in schools, and therefore are IIII
likely to experience these impacts disproportionately. .
HOW CAN CAREGIVERS HELP REDUCE RISKS TO CHILDREN?
• Talk with children about limiting time outdoors in hot weather.
• Educate yourselves and children on proper hydration in all
temperatures, how to recognize the early warning signs of
dehydration and overheating, including fatigue,
lightheadedness or dizziness, excessive sweating or lack of
sweating, and the risks associated with exposure to high heat.
Emphasize that dehydration can occur easily even in what
seems like lower temperatures.
• Empower children to know how to advocate for safe practices
in outdoor activities, and destigmatize safety, especially in
sports.
April 2023 EPA 430-R-23-001
e Climate Change and Children's Health and Well-Being in the United States
Air Quality
Most health effects associated with poor air quality stem from climate-induced
changes in weather conditions that impact concentrations of particulate matter(PM)
and ozone, including wildfires and ground-level dust in the Southwest. Exposure to poor air quality
can result in the development and exacerbations of asthma, difficulty learning, and susceptibility to
bronchitis, cancers, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood. Preterm birth,
low birth weight, and birth defects are associated with maternal exposures to poor air quality.
011 WHAT EMERGING ISSUES
4
SHOULD PARENTS AND
CAREGIVERS BE AWARE OF?
-� Emergency department (ED) visits
and hospital admissions from
respiratory conditions also are
expected to increase, because of
these effects, as are school days lost.
Further,the analysis projects an
increase in premature deaths among
WHAT DID THIS REPORT FIND? newborns due to poor air quality
Rates of childhood respiratory diseases, such as asthma, impacts on maternal health.
have been increasing steadily over the past decades, in
part due to changes in air quality and more children Wildfire smoke is comprised of
being exposed to higher levels of air pollutants. New numerous other air pollutants that
asthma diagnoses across the U.S. are projected to pose significant human health
increase 4%due to climate change-induced effects on impacts, including adverse birth
outcomes. New research documents
air quality at 2°C of global warming.This rate rises to
the association between wildfire
11% under a higher level of warming. Low-income and
Black, Indigenous, people of color(BIPOC) children are smoke exposure and risk of preterm
more likely to experience new asthma diagnoses birth, suggesting a dramatic potential
increase in these outcomes as
associated with climate-related exposure to PMz.s. wildfire activity continues to increase.
HOW CAN CAREGIVERS HELP REDUCE RISKS TO CHILDREN?
• Avoid letting children play outside on days with the poorest air quality (e.g.,
orange-or red-colored air quality alerts). You can check the Air Quality Index
forecast for your area.
• Reduce exposure to wildfire smoke and ambient dust by closing windows and
vents in homes and vehicles and using high-efficiency furnace or HVAC filters
and/or portable air cleaners during smoke emergencies or poor air quality days.
• Learn more on patient health related to ozone, particulate pollution, wildfire
smoke, and safeguarding indoor air quality during wildfires.
April 2023 EPA 430-R-23-001
Climate Change and Children's Health and Well-Being in the United States
isChanging Seasons
Increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are extending the growing
season, resulting in longer and more intense pollen and allergy seasons. Seasonal
allergic rhinitis is a major contributor in the U.S.to the development of respiratory conditions,
including asthma.
WHAT DID THIS REPORT FIND? WHAT EMERGING ISSUES
Due to climate-driven increases in some pollen types, SHOULD PARENTS AND
rates of annual asthma-related ED visits are projected CAREGIVERS BE AWARE OF?
to increase by 17-30%, under more moderate to higher Overall, new evidence suggests that
levels of warming, 2°C to 4°C, respectively. Less severe lengthening warm seasons are
outcomes, like visits to healthcare facilities for allergies expected to result in more time
and prescriptions filled for allergy medications for spent on outdoor recreation,
children, may increase by the tens to hundreds of especially boating and water sports.
thousands annually at higher levels of warming (4°C or On the other hand,
greater). Limited English-speaking or BIPOC children, the number of �, I
and children without health insurance are more likely to trips associated
experience these impacts stemming from oak pollen with some
exposure specifically. recreation
"( types, like
winter
recreation and ""''""'
So
cold-water
fishing are
AL projected to decrease under climate
change.These changes are likely to
have both positive and negative
effects, in terms of physical health,
mental well-being, and injury risks.
HOW CAN CAREGIVERS HELP REDUCE RISKS TO CHILDREN?
• Talk with your child's doctor about potential risk factors associated
with allergen exposure.
• Talk with your child's doctor about how to recognize symptoms of
seasonal allergies, allergy testing, and appropriate medication.
Maintain awareness of your area's air quality, and limit your child's
time outdoors on days with high pollution levels, including high
pollen concentrations (check local Air Quality Index forecast).
April 2023 EPA 430-R-23-001
Climate Change and Children's Health and Well-Being in the United States
Flooding
Coastal and inland flooding can result in exposures to waterborne diseases, housing
uncertainty, and psychological trauma. The frequency of flooding events due to
storm surge and sea level rise will continue to worsen as the climate changes, affecting homes of
children living in coastal zones.
WHAT DID THIS REPORT FIND? "_-___ _.
If no additional adaptation actions are taken, more than
1 million children are estimated to experience `r
temporary home displacement or complete home loss
from coastal flooding, at even moderate levels of global
mean sea level rise. Under greater levels of sea level rise,
the report anticipates that more than 2 million children ;
will be affected due to increases in coastal flooding.
Children in overburdened households will experience
these impacts disproportionately. Well-timed adaptation _ p
measures, including building sea walls, could avoid or i
delay many of these impacts, but are themselves costly
to implement and maintain.
WHAT EMERGING ISSUES
' SHOULD PARENTS AND
CAREGIVERS BE AWARE OF?
Inland flooding, also known as
riverine flooding, could increase in
the future due to climate change,
leading to home damage and loss.
HOW CAN CAREGIVERS HELP REDUCE RISKS TO CHILDREN?
• Work with your family to identify evacuation routes and
strategies to follow at times of flooding and severe weather. ,
• If your family has experienced home damage or loss, consider
seeking psychological treatment for your children. Learn more
about caring for children after disasters.
• Children and pregnant people should not take part in flood
cleanup work. Be aware of the risks of mold and information on
how to cleanup mold.
April 2023 EPA 430-R-23-001
Climate Change and Children's Health and Well-Being in the United States
0 o infectious Diseases
Oo The range of vector-borne diseases from mosquitoes and ticks, and the duration of
favorable weather conditions for the vectors, are expected to increase in a changing
climate. Lyme disease is one of the most common and best-known tick-borne diseases in the U.S. If
left untreated, or if treatment is delayed, children may develop a range of severe health effects,
including juvenile arthritis and Lyme carditis (inflammation in the heart).
WHAT DID THIS REPORT FIND? WHAT EMERGING ISSUES
This report projects a SHOULD PARENTS AND
significant increase in CAREGIVERS BE AWARE OF?
new cases of Lyme West Nile Virus (WNV), a mosquito-
disease (Lyme borne virus, is likely to see a change in
borreliosis) among new cases as temperatures increase,
children in the including among children. While this
Eastern U.S. even at r disease often does not cause severe
lower levels of global illness in children, it can have serious
warming (2°C), with health effects in children with Pre-
an expected 31% existing conditions.Additionally,
increase in cases.At changes in case counts could be
higher levels of global ( indicative of increasing risks of other
warming (4°C),the overall number of new cases mosquito-borne illnesses, such as
increase 272%above present levels. States in the (' Zika,that can have severe health
northernmost areas of the Northeast and Midwest implications for children.
regions are expected to see most of new cases among
children. Some research demonstrates that Lyme
disease may be underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and
undertreated among some overburdened
/ v
populations, particularly BIPOC children, increasing
the likelihood of more severe outcomes in these
communities. _r'`r�
HOW CAN CAREGIVERS HELP REDUCE RISKS TO CHILDREN?
• Teach your children about appropriate measures for avoiding
exposures to ticks and mosquitos, including wearing long-sleeves
and long pants, or proper application and use of insect repellants.
• Be aware of and teach older children about how to identify early
symptoms of illness, including the Lyme disease "bullseye" rash
and other characteristics.
`` • Remain current on tick bite treatment protocols and localized
disease rates.
April 2023 EPA 430-R-23-001