Although the future of environmental initiatives that benefit public health remain uncertain under the current presidential administration, many who work in the field remain committed to their goals.

Collective power, collaboration and a belief in the value of environmental justice can help ensure progress continues, according to leaders who came together for APHA’s second annual Climate, Health and Equity Summit Feb. 27-28.

“This is really a call to action for everyone,” said Katherine Catalano, MS, deputy director of APHA’s Center for Climate, Health and Equity, which hosted the summit. "We can focus our collective skills, knowledge and energy to work toward a more sustainable future."

Work on environmental regulations, programs and science has come under attack from the Trump administration in recent weeks, with cuts in staff, funding and programming. Environmental justice in particular has taken a hard hit, as the work was lumped in with administration efforts to end federal work related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The moves come even as science on the negative health effects of climate change grows stronger. Research has shown harmful implications for asthma, allergies, cardiac issues, mental disorders and more. Children, older adults, people of color and low-income populations are at particularly high risk for health harms from the changing climate.

“(Climate change) is here, it's now, it's shaping the air we breathe, the water we drink and the homes we live in,” Ans Irfan, a lecturer and faculty member with the George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health said during the summit. “In this fragile moment in American history, politically speaking, it's really critical we continue the conversation on climate justice.”

Research shows that most people, regardless of their political beliefs, recognize that climate change exists and needs to be resolved, according to Almeta Cooper, founder of Mom’s Clean Air Force. Discourse on the topic can be difficult, but actions speak louder than words, she said.

“Today more than ever, we've got to be taking action,” Cooper said.

Even when federal funding is in jeopardy, climate action can be taken at the local and state levels, summit speakers said.

"There are ways to mitigate climate change that don't really have anything to do with the federal government,” said Erik Calloway, managing director of ChangeLab Solutions. “Cities and communities continue to function. They have governments that provide a lot of services and spend a lot of money on a lot of things regularly, and all those things shape the social determinants of health.”

Susan Harris, EdD, founder and chair of the New York State Public Health Association’s Climate Committee, said she does not feel defeated by Trump administration actions. The committee works to educate youth about climate change and health, which can lead them to share information with their parents, teachers and peers.

“I feel very optimistic, particularly in working in the youth arena,” she said. “You can have a climate committee in your church, your synagogue, your mosque or anywhere you want to build one.”

Caption: Climate activists demonstrate in Italy in 2020. (Photo by Diamond Dogs, courtesy iStockphoto)