Ulrike Passe was interviewed on IPRs River to River on Climate Change
Author: codnew
Globally and nationally, people are experiencing a multitude of
crises. All at once, individuals are feeling the impact of a global
pandemic, police brutality and the continuing effects of climate change.
On this episode of River to River, host Ben Kieffer is joined
by experts in environmental health and sustainability for a look at the
intersection of these global crises.
Peter Thorne, professor and
head of of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at
the University of Iowa, emphasizes the importance of listening to
objective scientists when it comes to public health and climate
concerns. “We know that early action saves lives and minimizes harm,”
Thorne says, drawing parallels between the impact of COVID-19 and the
need for immediate action to prevent a “tipping point” for climate
change.
Eric Tate, associate professor of geographical and
sustainability sciences at the University of Iowa, says crises often
highlight inequalities and disparities already impacting the nation’s
most vulnerable populations. “These [crises] offer us the opportunity to
rebuild our society in ways that are more beneficial to everybody,”
Tate says.
Also on the program, Ulrike Passe, associate professor
of architecture and director of the Iowa State University Center for
Building Energy Research, discusses the importance of considering
climate and social factors in building construction and design.