Climate Change

Our Personal refection’s on Climate Change.
DR. STEVEN MANDEL, NEW YORK METRO Region, Park Avenue Synagogue, New York, NY.
DR. GARY SMITH, KIO Region, Adath Israel Synagogue, Cincinnati, OH.

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On July 22, 2024, the temperature rose to 62.89 C (140 degrees.), the hottest day in recorded history.  Second highest was in 1913 in death valley July 10^th 134 degrees 56.7 C  In Tokyo, people collapsed among the unrelenting heat wave. There was a typhoon in the Pacific Ocean. People were evacuated from Jasper, Canada, due to a fast moving wildfires flames. In the US, there was an increase in heat related illness including an increase in asthma symptoms in children and adults in vulnerable populations.

Jewish tradition emphasizes values that speak for our nation and the world’s need for energy policies that are environmentally responsible. It is our moral imperative to protect the poor as well as all mankind and most vulnerable. We are responsible to preserve the planet. A big task, but how do we do it?

The planet is on a viscous cycle of destruction of our resources to survive and live healthy lives.  We must be part of the solution for our kids and grandkids future.

This is our personal refection’s on Climate Change. We hope to share our values and determination for a heathier and safer place to live. We also hope to show our members and the wider community what we can do as individuals and as an organization to promote those goals.

JEWISH VALUES

There are principals that we need to live our lives:

TIKKUN OLAM – repairing the world- protecting the planet for future generations

DOR L’DOR

BAL TASHCHIT – do not waste- reduce waste and preserve resources

PITUACH NEFESH- saving a life – protecting health as a Jewish value

 STUARDSHIP and CREATION- Jews are standards of earth, and responsible for preservation- creations rich in biodiversity

JUSTICE AND EQUALITY – humanitarian responsibility- climate effects the poor and the most vulnerable – hunger, destitution, displacement

COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY – strength bonds in our community

TYPES OF CLIMATE RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES OF HUMAN ILLNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY

In NYC, 2023, there were 350 heat related deaths- 7 direct by heat, and 350heat exacerbated deaths due to underlying medical conditions. Air pollution in the form of ozone and PM 2.5 cased 2500 deaths in NYC in 2023. Ozone is due to warm weather, strong sunshine, coughing, sore throat, irritation and respiratory problems and, associated with children’s asthma. PM2.5 are fine particulate matter caused by fires, building fires and wildfires. The same year, there were over 2000 cases of Lyme disease, and 23 cases of West Nile (355 in NY State) with an increase in tics and mosquitos. In NYC, those in poverty and in the black and brown population were most vulnerable. Medications may make people susceptible to excessive heat. New York is a microcosm of what is happening all over the world. Wildfires not only warm the environment but destroys valuable oxygen and oxygen producing plants. It also destroys homes and wildlife important to balancing nature. What might be a solution that could reduce the destruction of fires???

OUR JEWISH COMMITMENT

THE FEDREATION OF JEWISH MEN’S CLUBS (FJMC), has an AFFINITY GROUP- SHOMREI HA’ARETZ- with programs on Climate Change. The MASORTI ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE, DAYANU. ADAMAH, JEWISH CLIMATE INITIATIVE, ADAMAH, are all committed to Y’SHUV OLAM, the ethics of living in the right relationship with the earth. There is no greater act of righteousness to repair and maintain the habitability of the world. Some of our synagogues have taken on local levels of promoting and educating to adults and kids to do their part in promulgating solutions. Adath Israel in Cincinnati, Ohio is at the forefront of educating and promoting environmental friendly ways of saving our environment. 

WHY SHOULD WE BE INVOLVED: REASONS INCLUDED

Climate changes with excessive heat, air pollution and infectious diseases have significant effects on one’s physical and mental health. All organs of the body can be affected including an increase in cardiovascular disease and stroke, asthma exacerbation, kidney disease, neuro degenerative disease, and premature death.  The mental effects, include depression, anxiety, mood swings, sleep disturbances, an increase in domestic abuse and crime. There are studies to show reduced kidney function (eGFR) in people working in outdoor spaces and exposed to excessive heat.

Wildfires are contributed by human activity., grassland, tress and burning buildings.  It produces toxic chemicals including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, toluene, styrene, metals and dioxin. N95 makes are recommended under these conditions, with frequent breaks from exposure. Can you think of a solution or solutions to help either prevent or diminish the powerful effects of wildfires?

Children have less of an ability to regulate their temperature and suffer from dehydration, and a reduced ability to concentrate and learn. This is especially of concern with outdoor sports activities. Those over the age 6, who are diabetics with cardiovascular disease are at high risk of heat stroke. For pregnant patients, it has been associated with preterm births. Children who may consume high sugar drinks worsen the bodies response to heat.

There is an increase in health costs, with a strain on resources, overcrowding emergency rooms, and long-term health conditions. There is reduced productivity, financial consequences and health costs. There is a disruption of infrastructure including transportation, energy supplies and maintenance. Can you think of a way of preventing infrastructure destruction from forest fires.

INDIVIDUAL CONSEQUENCES

What can you do when expressing Heat Stress? You should quickly go to a cool environment, be well hydrated, and be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion. With chest pain, shortness of breath, and any unusual symptoms, please call your doctor and go to the nearest emergency room. Symptoms can include making you feel miserable, aggressive, depressed, lethargic, halting speech, reduce cognition. . As prevention, you should limit your outdoor activities when temperatures and the air quality index rises to warning and dangerous levels. Another way of preventing heat stress is to make sure before going outside to overhydrate similar to what runners do prior to marathons. There are now available heat stress towels to wrap around your neck that cool you.

JEWISH ADVOCACY PLEDGE

As members of the FJMC, we need to be advocates for a cleaner environment. We need policies and legislation for heat protection, especially under working conditions. You can volunteer in faith based collaboratives, that your organization can initiate and or partner with many organizations. The clubs can have a community impact, providing education and awareness. You can have programs, lobby elected officials, write letters and have your institutions institute sustainable practices. You can be teachers for practices such as water conservation, reducing energy consumption, alternative transportations, and plant-based diets.

 Our conversations will give our members strength and confidence. We are moral leaders that can inspire others to take responsibility.  We have an intergenerational responsibility to care for future generations. We can establish our own personal history in the pursuit of social justice. We can work with our Rabbis in our synagogues on a local level promoting recycling, education of kids, growing food, planting gardens using composting, solar, and many other ways. 

QUESTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED

What should you tell people who don’t believe in climate change?

Are carbon off-beats good?

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS OF THE FUTURE OF ELECTRIC CARS?

Are gas solvents bad?

Why should you be concerned over sea levels rising?

Does recycling work?

Are EVs more efficient then plug-in hybrids?

What can I do to prevent climate change? HOW CAN YOU LEAD YOUR COMMUNITY TO BE INVOLVED IN SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT?

DO YOU UNDERSTAND WATER VAPOR AND ITS SERIOUS AFFECT ON CLIMATE CHANGE?

DO YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF METHANE GAS HOW IT AFFECTS THE ENVIRONMENT AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT?

What is the value of a heat pump?

How quickly are we loosing glaciers?

Can I recycle my pizza box?

Should I buy solar panels, GEOTHERMAL OR SOME OTHER FORM OF ENERGY SAVING?

How do I start to advocate ?

Climate change deserves our attention. We have a responsibility to the environment as

Jewish leaders in our community.

Why should Jewish men and clubs be a powerful allowance for climate change? This is a chance perhaps for us to lead the charge and redefine our value to the world as men!

“G-d did not create the world to be chaos (Tohu), G-d created the world to be habitable (lashevet).

Steven Mandel MD
Clinical Professor of Neurology
Zucker School of Medicine 
Hofstra Northwell    

GARY R. SMITH DVM
VETERINARIAN AND ADVOCATE OF CLIMATE
CONTROL THROUGH THE GREEN TEAM OF
ADATH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE   

AUGUST 2nd 2024