MADISON, Wis. -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call climate change "a serious public health concern" and one of the experts who best understand why lives in Madison.

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University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Jonathan Patz was part of the team sharing former Vice President Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize and he's now calling for global change to avert a health crisis.

Patz recently spoke with WISC-TV anchor Susan Siman and offered answers about what the future might hold.

WISC-TV: Is climate change a health issue? What are the ramifications of maintaining the status quo?"

Patz: You know, I've been studying climate change health effects for about 15 years now. The issue is and why I think it's one of the biggest public health challenges we face is because climate change can affect some many different health outcomes -- be it mortality from heat waves or ground-level ozone smog pollution, which is very temperature sensitive and that's a problem with asthmatics or anyone with respiratory problems, even allergens."

WISC-TV: What are the prospects for success if everyone is not on board -- citizens, businesses, politicians?

Patz: This is a long-term process but the faster we get going, the sooner we may be able to cut back on energy consumption and turn the tide of this climate change challenge. It really is a daunting challenge. It will take tremendous effort."

WISC-TV: Economics are a part of this. I want to buy locally grown produce but it's too expensive. Doesn't that have to be part of the solution? It has to be more amenable to everyone.

Patz: It may feel costly at first but there are paybacks that will be sooner and some later. Right now, for our solar panels, Madison Gas & Electric (MG&E) is paying twice market value for the energy we're putting back into the grid. That's a great incentive. That's a payback. I think these paybacks can be soon, but not all of them will be.

WISC-TV: As you look into the future, what adjective would you use? Are you cautiously optimistic? Are you quietly terrified? How would you describe it?

Patz: I am quietly terrified but extremely optimistic. (A change means) healthier cities, healthier neighborhoods, a healthier place. Our personal health cannot be sustainable unless we're in a healthy environment.

For More Info:

Read Dr. Jonathan Patz bio
Patz is a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and shared the Nobel Peace Prize awarded with former Vice President Al Gore:
Environmental Change & Our Health, a tool for teachers and students
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