Latest news with #LisaThompson
The Guardian
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Smoke from climate-fueled fires in US contributed to 15,000 deaths over 15 years, study finds
Wildfires driven by the climate crisis contribute to as many as thousands of annual deaths and billions of dollars in economic costs from wildfire smoke in the United States, according to a new study. The paper, published on Friday in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment, found that from 2006 to 2020, the climate crisis contributed to about 15,000 deaths from exposure to small particulate matter from wildfires and cost about $160bn. The annual range of deaths was 130 to 5,100, the study showed, with the highest in states such as Oregon and California. 'We're seeing a lot more of these wildfire smoke events,' said Nicholas Nassikas, a study author and a physician and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. So he and multidisciplinary team of researchers wanted to know: 'What does it really mean in a changing environment for things like mortality, which is kind of the worst possible health outcome?' Lisa Thompson, a professor at Emory University who studies air pollution and climate change and was not involved in the paper, said it is one of the first studies she has seen to isolate the effect of the climate crisis on mortality. Looking at the impacts across time and space also made it unique, she said. The paper's researchers focused on deaths linked to exposure to fine particulate matter, or PM2.5 – the main concern from wildfire smoke. These particles can lodge deep into lungs and trigger coughing and itchy eyes with short-term exposure. But longer-term they can make existing health problems worse and lead to a range of chronic and deadly health issues. Children, pregnant people, the elderly and outdoor workers are among the most vulnerable. The Health Effects Institute estimated the pollutant caused 4 million deaths worldwide. Evidence is emerging that PM2.5 from wildfire smoke is more toxic than other pollution sources. When wildfires encroach into cities, burning cars and other toxics-containing materials, it adds to the danger. Numerous studies have tied human-caused the climate crisis – caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas – to a growth in fires in North America. Global warming is increasing drought, especially in the west, and other extreme weather. Drier conditions suck moisture from plants, which act as fuel for fires. When drier vegetation and seasons are mixed with hotter temperatures, that increases the frequency, extent and severity of wildfires and the smoke they spew. Jacob Bendix, professor emeritus of geography and environment at Syracuse University, said he was 'dismayed' by the findings but not surprised. '[T]hese numbers are really significant. I think there's a tendency for people outside of the areas actually burning to see increasing fires as a distant inconvenience … This study drives home how far-reaching the impacts are,' said Bendix in an email. He wasn't involved in the study. The study's authors drew on modeled and existing data to reach their findings. First, they sought to understand how much area burned by wildfires was attributable to the climate crisis. They did that by analyzing the real climate conditions – heat and rain, for instance – when wildfires erupted from 2006 to 2020, and compared that with a scenario where weather measurements would be different without the climate crisis. From there, they estimated the levels of PM2.5 from wildfire smoke tied to climate change using the same approach. Lastly, integrating the current understanding of how particulate matter affects mortality based on published research, they quantified the number of deaths related to PM2.5 from wildfires and calculated their economic impact. This framework showed that of 164,000 deaths related to wildfire-PM2.5 exposure from 2006 to 2020, 10% were attributable to the climate crisis. The mortalities were 30% to 50% higher in some western states and counties. Marshall Burke, global environmental policy professor at Stanford University, said the evidence linking climate change to burned areas was 'rock solid', but the subsequent steps were harder. 'Linking burned area to smoke is trickier because you never know exactly which way the wind's going to blow,' he said, and he wondered how the death estimates compared to fatalities tied to general air pollution. Still, their approach was sensible and reasonable, Burke said. Johns Hopkins University lecturer in climate and energy policy Patrick Brown said he had some concerns about the study. One was conceptual. The study acknowledges the power non-climate drivers have on wildfires, but it doesn't give them proper weight, he said in an email. Brown, who was not involved in the study, worries decision-makers could wrongly conclude that mitigating planet-warming carbon emissions is the only solution. 'Yet in many regions, the more immediate life‑saving action may be fuel breaks, prescribed burns, ignition‑source regulation, public health efforts, etc,' he said. Land management practices such as prescribed burns can reduce wildfire fuel, Nassikas said. But ultimately, the study notes, the problem of deaths from wildfire smoke will only get worse without the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. 'Part of the study is raising awareness,' he said. 'And then once we kind of understand that … now what are the interventions that we can deploy at a personal level, at a community level, and then obviously at a larger level across the country and across the world?'
News24
07-05-2025
- General
- News24
‘My husband doesn't want to bath': Expert weighs in on Joburg wife's dilemma
A Johannesburg woman sought advice online about her husband's refusal to bathe, which strained their marriage as she juggled parenting and household duties. Relationship expert Shelley Lewin recommends speaking respectfully, using 'I' statements to express feelings, and reframing hygiene as mutual care rather than a personal flaw. Lewin suggests creating joint rituals, like preparing baths together, to foster partnership and ease the imbalance in responsibilities. For most of us, hygiene is a no-brainer - just part of daily life. But what if your forever person - yes, the one you vowed to love through thick and thin—has a stinky stance on baths? This is exactly what a desperate Johannesburg woman found herself wondering recently. Desperate for advice, Lisa Thompson* poured out her frustrations in an online support group. She starts her story by explaining that during a rough patch in their marriage, she informed their counsellor of her husband's refusal to bathe. 'My husband doesn't want to bath, guys.' 'A back story: Two years ago, we hit a rough patch in our marriage and went for counselling on other things. I mentioned my problem with his hygiene.' Unfortunately, this backfired on Lisa after her husband, who is in his forties, demanded that she be responsible for preparing his baths since it bothered her that much. While this left her feeling exasperated, she tried her best to stick to this arrangement; however, with their 13-month-old and her other 'wifely duties,' she simply couldn't keep up. She shared, 'I was doing that but not consistently. Now we have a 13-month-old; MY HANDS ARE FULL! He still blames me for his lack of bathing. I'll be running the bath for him, and then he'll say it's an awkward time as he's still watching his show.' READ | Should a 'work wife' get you worked up? Expert weighs in on this woman's viral dilemma If you're already gasping, it gets better - or worse, depending on how you see it. Lisa went on to explain that, in addition to bathing drama, her husband expects food to be made and the house to be cleaned. 'On the other hand, he wants food 3 to 4 times a day; I must mind the baby and also try to ensure the house is tidy.' She concludes the post by adding, 'I'm convinced he hates bathing.' Some people suggested that Lisa pack her bags and run far and fast. Others, however, offered a gentler perspective, wondering if the issue could be a sign of hidden mental health struggles. However, relationship expert Shelley Lewin had a more nuanced take, advocating for sensitive communication rather than harsh ultimatums. 'When it comes to sensitive issues like hygiene, it's essential to speak from a place of respect, not reproach. It's not about shaming someone into change but inviting them into a more connected, caring partnership. The Uncomplicated Love author adds that Lisa should try expressing her feelings to her husband without placing her sole focus on his behaviour. 'In this situation, it sounds like the wife is carrying a heavy physical and emotional load. Rather than focusing on his behaviour alone, she can express her feelings using 'I' statements.' For example: 'I feel emotionally tired and physically stretched right now. I need to feel that we're both showing up for this family and for each other.' Lewin adds, 'She might want to add the impact it is having on her, for example: 'When I have to ask you to bathe or prepare the water for you, it adds to my feeling of being alone in the effort, and I am becoming resentful'.' Lewin further explains that she should help her husband see his hygiene as part of their respect for each other and not simply a personal problem. 'It's also helpful to frame hygiene as part of mutual respect and shared care rather than a personal flaw. She might say: 'I know we're both adjusting to a lot with the new baby, but I need to feel that we're each taking care of ourselves and each other. It really matters to me that we keep up some basics, like staying clean, as it helps us both feel better.' Lastly, Lewin suggests they prepare his bath together as a 'ritual of support'. She concludes, 'Finally, creating rituals of support (like boiling water together or alternating responsibilities) might ease the power imbalance and foster partnership rather than parent-child dynamics between her and her husband.'
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Tegu lizards are emerging threat along the Treasure Coast and eat native Florida species
St. Lucie County is home to an emerging and breeding population of invasive tegu lizards, but also home to one of the state's most skilled trappers. A staggering 1,533 Argentine black and white tegus have been captured or observed in St. Lucie County, making it a state hotspot for the invasive carnivorous lizard, according to the online invasive species map Ten have been caught or observed in Martin County and only one has been observed in Indian River County. The FWC refers to tegus as an "emerging population" in St. Lucie County, which means the lizards aren't just released pets, but part of a breeding population. St. Lucie's population compared to neighboring counties may be skewed by the talents of one of the state's most skilled trappers, Sid Pennington, a former employee at the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant. Over 18,000 tegus have been removed from the wild in Florida, according to FWC spokesperson Lisa Thompson. The tegu invasion began when people accidentally or intentionally released them, but they are now breeding. The FWC in April 2021 listed tegus as a high-risk species and banned owning or breeding them. University of Florida researchers in 2014 set up cameras and documented two tegus eating two alligator eggs a day, until the entire nest was empty. FWC's recent analysis of gut contents show tegus also eat threatened juvenile gopher tortoises. Like all nonnative reptile species, tegus are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty laws and can be humanely killed on private property with the landowner's permission. Tegus can be captured and killed year-round and without a permit or hunting license on 32 FWC-managed lands in South Florida. The FWC is seeking public feedback on proposed rule changes for nonnative species, including tegus. The FWC will host three virtual public meetings this week on pet permits, caging requirements for juvenile tegus and green iguanas and placement options for prohibited species by FWC Law Enforcement. The meetings focused on tegus will be at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 27 and 10 a.m. March 29. Information on participating in the meeting can be found at the FWC's nonnative species page. Staff will use feedback to help draft rules, which the FWC Commission will consider at a future meeting. The public also may comment via the FWC online portal or by emailing nonnativespeciesrules@ Over 500 nonnative species have been reported in Florida, of which 80% have been introduced via the live animal trade. About 150 species are established in Florida, meaning they are reproducing in the wild. Call the FWC's exotic species hotline at 888-483-4681 Report the exact location, preferably with a photo, at Tim O'Hara is TCPalm's environment reporter. Contact him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: FWC seeks public comment on rules for invasive iguanas, tegu lizards
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah lawmakers shut down housing bill meant to give Utahns an edge over corporate home buyers
A home for sale in Salt Lake City is pictured on Monday, July 22, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) A bill meant to give everyday Utahns a slight edge over corporate buyers didn't survive its first legislative hurdle after lawmakers expressed concerns about restricting the housing market and potentially causing home sellers to face fair housing lawsuits. The House Political Subdivisions Committee on Tuesday voted 5-2 to hold HB151, a bill sponsored by Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion, D-Cottonwood Heights. It's not likely to gain traction in the 2025 Utah Legislature, with the session scheduled to end March 7. With HB151, Bennion wants to give Utahns a bit of an edge over corporate buyers of single-family homes in Utah's most populated county. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX To encourage Utahns to have first dibs on a home after it hits the market, HB151 would restrict a buyer from purchasing a home in Salt Lake County for 30 days after it's listed unless the buyer signs an affidavit of intent to live in the home for at least one year. To avoid taking too much of a heavy-handed approach, Bennion included a provision in the bill to allow sellers to sell to anyone in the first 30 days if they claim a need to sell the home faster, or if a renter would live in the single-family home on the day the buyer takes possession of it. 'This bill provides a cooling-off period for investors in (Salt Lake County) for the purchase of single-family homes, but also respects the seller and allows for the use of an exigent circumstance to accept any offer,' Bennion said. Her bill would also prohibit the bulk sale of foreclosed single-family homes to one buyer or more. 'The goal of this bill is to raise the moral question of home ownership to the transaction of the sale and purchase of single-family homes in (Salt Lake County),' Bennion said. How much of Utah's housing market is corporate-owned? This county is digging into the data She pointed to recent Salt Lake County data compiled by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy that showed 10,666 homes changed hands from non-corporate owners to corporate owners between 2018 and 2023. Utah News Dispatch reported on that data in August. Across the nation, institutional investors impact some cities more than others — and they're not as nearly prevalent in Utah as they are in major metros like Miami, Houston and Atlanta. But Bennion argued it's still happening to a concerning extent in Salt Lake County, and that Utah lawmakers should act to find ways to help Utahns have a better chance of competing with corporate buyers that can often offer cash. 'For three years, people have shared their concerns with me that investors are cutting into home ownership in negative ways,' Bennion said. 'Some investors use algorithms, some use cash, but they all push out the individual who is coming into home ownership for the first time and doesn't have those tools and experience.' Lisa Thompson, a real estate agent, sat alongside Bennion as she presented her bill. She said it would give people intending to live in the home a 'first shot' in the market, 'because it's hard to compete' with investors that don't have to jump through the same financing hoops as other buyers. However, she also said investors aren't as active in Utah as they were in 2020, when the West experienced a home buying frenzy amid the COVID-19 pandemic and low interest rates. But several real estate professionals and business owners spoke against Bennion's bill, arguing it wouldn't have a practical impact on bringing down the price of homes in Utah — but rather it would cause homes to sit on the market longer. Chris Sloan, a past president of the Utah Association of Realtors and a broker and owner of a real estate agency in Tooele, said that he supports Bennion's efforts to encourage home ownership but argued her bill would 'cause some real concerns.' 'This bill essentially requires the owners to give up first right of refusal to owner-occupied purchasers for 30 days,' Sloan said. 'First right of refusals, contractual right between buyers and sellers, is something that generally costs the seller money. Delaying a transaction for any period is expensive.' Taz Biesinger, with the Utah Home Builders Association, also argued 'this bill will not help the affordability crisis that we have in Utah.' He said investors are 'not a big player in the marketplace, Utah is unique that way.' 'This is just not part of the equation of housing affordability,' Biesinger said. Chris Gamvroulas, president of Ivory Development and president of the Utah Property Rights Coalition, also spoke against Bennion's bill. 'The solution to an under-supply is not to interfere in the exchange of real property between a willing buyer and a willing seller,' Gamvroulas said. Utah lawmakers say no to 'preemption,' halt 2 housing bills aimed at allowing smaller homes But Clark Bolin, a Murray resident, urged lawmakers to support the bill, arguing that 'merely building more homes has not worked. That's something that we keep trying, and it's not happening.' 'I don't think this is a perfect bill. And I don't think it actually goes far enough, honestly,' Bolin said, urging lawmakers to consider taxing corporate buyers at a higher rate than private owners. However, he said Bennion's bill 'starts the ball rolling on a really important conversation of home ownership and really allowing the private investor to have a leg up and a head start over corporate ownership.' Jennifer Cottam, a real estate agent in Cottonwood Heights — a city known for its desirable real estate near the base of the Cottonwood canyons — spoke in 'strong support' of Bennion's bill, saying she's seen first-hand the impact from corporate buyers. 'I work with families who are doing everything right. They're saving. They're planning. They're working hard,' She said. '(But) especially when the market's tough and (for) lower-price point homes, they're outbid by cash offers from investors.' However, Rep. Neil Walter, R-St. George, motioned to hold the bill rather than allowing it to advance to the House floor. While he said he's supportive of the 'principle of home ownership,' Bennion's bill 'is just the wrong tool to accomplish that policy objective.' 'I'm concerned that we're trying to use sellers as a public policy tool to make concessions … we're trying to force sellers to make concessions as part of our public policy objective,' Walter said. 'They don't have an obligation or shouldn't bear that cost.' Walter also expressed concerns about requiring sellers to pay attention to who they're selling to, which he said could 'create an avenue where we're going to end up with a whole bunch of fair housing violations.' The majority of the Republican-controlled House committee agreed with Walter, with only Bennion and Rep. Jake Fitisemanu, D-West Valley City, voting against his motion to hold the bill. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
