How many click-bait headlines are out there for people to get ahead on their investments? People spend thousands of dollars on financial planners, access to exclusive investment deals, the latest in asset protection, on insurance products to hedge against disability, illness, fire, etc. However, the science has shown us again and again that unhealthy air costs lives and money. Our wealth comes from our health, both as a community and as individuals. I am always having to tell my patients and remind policy-makers that when people can’t breathe they can’t work. The science has shown us that breathing unhealthy air costs us billions of dollars. We need to talk more about this from Main Street to Wall Street.
So often when people think about donating, they think about giving something away and getting nothing in return but warm feelings or fulfillment of a religious tithing obligation. Giving money to organizations that are working for healthy air is actually a very wise investment. Here at Air Health Our Health I often mention “Our Wealth.” We are all wealthier when the air is clean. Unhealthy air costs all of us money- whether in higher healthcare premiums for those battling diseases caused by unhealthy air, or in our own lost productivity and sick days. It costs us moments with our loved ones, from the family member lost prematurely to lung cancer, to the soccer game skipped because the pollen count was too high or the air quality too low for the child with asthma to play.
Costs of Climate Change
Climate change is costing all of us untold amounts in terms of lost lives, human capital, and actual wealth. As I write this, wildfires are raging in Northern California, where my sister lives. I am very worried for her health and that of my young nephews. Wildfire smoke and its particulate matter can also lead to devastating exacerbations of asthma, COPD and cause heart attacks and strokes. I have also written about the other health effects of climate change, including longer and more intense pollen seasons. All of these certainly lead to increased health care costs. But what about non-healthcare costs related to climate change?
What use is that great home insurance policy you bought if catastrophic wildfires are destroying entire areas of the country and making them unlivable? Soon the insurance companies will either go bankrupt or will have to sell a product that is so high it is essentially unaffordable. If you don’t invest your time and money to ensure that we are addressing climate change as a society and planet and building climate resilience into our plans, you may find yourself paying your premiums for nothing. Just look at what has happened to flood insurance. Ask the people of Paradise, California what climate change has cost them. A 2018 fire destroyed 90% of the homes in the town, putting one insurance company out of business, and leaving other homeowners with insurance companies cancelling their policies or pricing them out of affordable ranges.
$790 Billion or 4.2% of GDP
That is how much particulate matter air pollution from traffic, shipping, energy sectors, etc cost the US economy in 2014. I think most of us wouldn’t mind having an extra 4.2% growth in US GDP. Think what we could fund as a society with $790 billion USD! Investing in decreasing particulate matter has a robust return on that investment. Growing the green energy job and transportation sector in the US could yield double returns, from a new homegrown industry to its secondary effects of avoiding the “taxes” of dirty air and their drag on the economy and human lives.
$170 Billion or 8.7% US Healthcare expenditures
That is how much the US spent on healthcare due to tobacco in 2010. 60% of that was paid for from Medicare or Medicaid, therefore funded by your tax dollars! Would you like to decrease what you spend on healthcare by 8.7%? I sure would! I know many other places where I could invest that money.
I am adding an investment section to my website for those who want to invest their money in organizations that will yield healthy air and therefore a good return. I have no affiliate relationship with these organizations. My interest is still at least partly a financial one, however. It is in my financial interest (and yours!) that they continue to do their work to clean up the air, to help decrease tobacco and it’s drag on our health and our economy, and to ensure that our natural resources, including clean air, are being defended against the interests that would pollute the air for private profit and shared-risk.
Organizations to Consider
There are many worthy organizations working for healthy air. Here are some I personally find effective. Please comment below or contact me about organizations you find effective, and why people should invest with them (aka donate to them).
American Lung Association– Full disclosure, I have served on the Board of the ALA of Oregon, and have watched how hard they work to educate about tobacco, healthy air, radon, and sensible health policy. Invest wisely with them today for a better tomorrow! They also have a 95.87 rating from Charity Navigator!
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids- has focused on avoiding addicting another generation to have a world free of tobacco. Charity Navigator Rating 95.05.
National Resources Defense Council – works to mitigate damage from climate change and preserve clean air. Charity Navigator Rating 93.
Neighbors for Clean Air– a more local organization in Oregon who has worked effectively to make abstract issue of air toxics and diesel particulate matter more effective. You can listen to the podcast episode with Mary Peveto and read the related post to find out more about them. They do not yet have a Charity Navigator Rating.
References
News articles related to the Camp Fire costs- a glimpse of the future
Sticker Shock on insurance policies- Sacramento Bee
Campfire coverage, FEMA costs- NPR
Images above: From “Wolf of Wall Street,” Seinfeld episode “The Stock Tip,” and Scrooge McDuck
