Act on Climate
Climate change is a growing public health crisis that is hitting our most vulnerable communities first and hardest. We cannot afford to wait. Public health leaders, health care providers, and communities must step forward to drive bold, equitable climate action. By confronting climate change today, we protect lives, reduce health inequities, and strengthen the resilience of every community. Act now to safeguard health and build a safer, healthier future for all. #ActOnClimate
Take Action Today
- Participate in APHA's legislative action alerts and urge policymakers to #ActOnClimate.
- Support the Make Polluters Pay Campaign to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for the climate crisis and demand climate justice.
Ways You Can Stay Involved
- Become a climate and health champion at your workplace and in your community. Take APHA’s Climate for Health Ambassadors training.
- Join APHA’s ISC Climate Change Group to collaborate on climate and health advocacy, share resources, and advance public health solutions to climate change.
- The Speak for Health campaign is how APHA members stand up for public health. Use your voice to address climate and health impacts and ensure equitable climate solutions.
- Meet with your members of Congress!
- Write an op-ed to raise awareness about how climate change is impacting your community!
- Curious about APHA's 2025 advocacy priorities? Attend a public forum or town hall and ask your representatives about APHA climate-related priority issues.
Climate-Related Press Releases and More
Hear what APHA has been saying about climate change in our most recent news releases.
Coalition Sues Trump EPA for Failure to Implement Life-Saving National Soot Standard
Seventeen health, community and environmental groups filed a lawsuit on Monday evening in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to implement the strengthened 2024 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter air pollution, commonly known as soot.
APHA and leading health organizations sue EPA over proposal to allow power plants to release more mercury and other toxic pollutants
The American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Lung Association and Physicians for Social Responsibility, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final action repealing updated limits on mercury and air toxics from power plants finalized in 2024.
Roll back of EPA mercury and air toxic standards increases health risks putting all Americans at risk
APHA strongly condemns the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule to rollback the 2024 updated Mercury and Air Toxic Standards for the power sector. These standards have already reduced 90% of mercury emissions from the power sector.
APHA and several organizations sue EPA over illegal repeal of climate protections
APHA, Health and environmental groups challenge the Trump EPA’s harmful, unscientific and illegal repeal of the endangerment finding and elimination of clean vehicle standards.
APHA State and Local Engagement on Climate Action
The most ambitious climate action is happening at the state and local levels, yet health equity and meaningful community engagement are not always centered in these efforts. That’s why in 2022, APHA’s Center for Climate, Health and Equity launched a pilot program supporting five APHA Affiliate state public health associations to help health professionals lead policy campaigns focused on climate justice and communities most affected by climate change. Through this work, APHA aimed to strengthen state-level leadership to advance equitable, health-centered climate policy. Learn more about APHA State Partners for Climate and Health Equity.
To build off of the pilot program, we collaborated with six APHA affiliates by providing grants and training to raise awareness about smart surfaces’ benefits, influence local policies and planning, and drive regional smart surface projects from 2023 to 2025. Our commitment to health equity was ingrained throughout the project. Through this lens, we assessed how smart surface projects impact different communities, ensuring no one is left behind. Our Affiliates also focus on community engagement as they involve residents, especially those in underserved areas, to co-create solutions. Learn more about our Affiliates' work for smart surfaces.
Climate Communications Bootcamp
View our Climate Communications Bootcamp to build skills around delivering key climate and health messaging, as well as how to communicate and engage with policymakers, media and other key audiences.
Additional Resources
APHA Policy Reports and Recommendations
- The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change Policy Brief for the United States of America
- Fueling Sickness: The Hidden Health Costs of Fossil Fuel Pollution (endorsed by APHA)
- APHA’s Recommendations for Healthy & Equitable Transportation.
- APHA’s Building Power with Environmental Justice Communities: Recommendations for Equitable Grantmaking.
Explore APHA Public Health Policy Briefs on Climate-Related Issues
- Protecting the Health and Safety of Workers Who Respond to Disasters: Achieving Equity Through Education and Training (October 27, 2024)
- Advancing Environmental Health and Justice (November 06, 2022)
- Gas Stove Emissions (November 06, 2022)
- Ensuring Equity in Transportation (October 24, 2021)
- Addressing the Impacts of Climate Change on Mental Health and Well-Being (November 03, 2019)
- Impacts of Unconventional Oil and Gas Industry (November 11, 2018)
- Public Health Opportunities to Address the Health Effects of Air Pollution (November 06, 2017)
- Public Health Opportunities to Address the Health Effects of Climate Change (November 02, 2015)
- Toward a Healthy Sustainable Food System (November 05, 2007)