Hidden Health Benefits of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Most public discussion of climate change has focused on long-term considerations, such as raised temperatures and sea level, extremes of weather, alterations in the ecology of infectious diseases, or radical changes in land use (1, 2). However, the same actions that can reduce the long-term buildup of greenhouse gases (GHG)--reductions in burning of fossil fuels--can also yield powerful, immediate benefits to public health by reducing the adverse effects of local air pollution. Building upon studies conducted in both developed and developing countries, we assess an array of immediate health benefits that can result from adopting existing technologies to reduce GHG emissions.