CLIMATE ONE: Cause of Death: Air Pollution

In 2013, 9-year-old Ella Roberta died from a severe asthma attack. She became the first person in the United Kingdom (and possibly the world) to have “air pollution” listed as the cause of death on her death certificate. Her mother, Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, founded the Ella Roberta Foundation and has become a global voice for clean air.

Globally, the World Health Organization says that air pollution is associated with 6 to 7 million premature deaths every year. Addressing the cause of these deaths would also go a long way to addressing climate disruption. And since talking about climate has become so politically fraught, should we reframe the conversation to focus on taking care of our air?

Highlights:

(00:00) Intro

(03:00) Rosamund shares details of Ella’s young life and her early asthma attacks

(08:00) Ella becomes first person to have “air pollution” listed as cause of death

(13:00) Rosamund’s work sharing Ella’s story and raising awareness about air pollution

(20:30) How poisonous transportation emissions are and policy tools to reduce them

(26:00) Economic development does not need to sit contrary to healthy air 

(27:00) Dieselgate and the work of the True Real Urban Emissions initiative 

(31:00) Extreme heat can make air pollution more deadly

(37:00) Why we shouldn’t use the term "climate change” 

(43:00) Finding ways to connect with people on climate based on their priorities

(49:00) How to convey the seriousness of climate threats while also empowering people to feel that they can make a difference

(52:30) Climate One More Thing

Guests:

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, Founder, Ella Roberta Foundation

Sheila Watson, Deputy Director, FIA Foundation

Susan Joy Hassol, Director, Climate Communication 

For show notes and related links, visit https://www.climateone.org/watch-and-listen/podcasts

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