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The report estimates that diesel fine particle pollution causes approximately 21,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S., with significant risks of lung cancer, heart attacks, and asthma. It argues that while EPA regulations for new engines starting in 2007 are positive, the long lifespan of existing diesel vehicles (nearly 30 years) necessitates immediate retrofit actions. The document proposes a reduction target of 50% by 2010, 75% by 2015, and 85% by 2020, which could save nearly 100,000 lives by 2030. Recommended solutions include diesel particulate filters (DPF), Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), and anti-idling ordinances.

The report analyzes the potential health impacts of three policy alternatives to the proposed Clear Skies Act—the Clean Air Planning Act (Carper), the Clean Power Act (Jeffords), and the EPA August 2001 Straw Proposal—focusing on avoidable health effects from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) for the years 2010 and 2020. To ensure direct comparability with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates, the study employs the same analytical methods, emissions estimates, air quality forecasting, and health assessment models used by the EPA in its 2003 analysis of the Clear Skies Act.

The report documents that fine particle pollution from U.S. power plants causes nearly 24,000 premature deaths annually, including 2,800 from lung cancer, and 38,200 non-fatal heart attacks. It argues that the Bush administration's 'Clear Skies' proposal is insufficient compared to the Clean Air Act or the more stringent Jeffords bill, which could avoid 22,000 deaths per year. The analysis highlights that elderly populations, children, and communities of color—particularly in the Midwest and Southwest—are disproportionately affected.

This report analyzes the health impacts of various US power plant emission reduction policies, comparing the Clear Skies Act (CSA) with the Carper Bill, Jeffords Bill, and an EPA Straw Proposal. Using the REMSAD air quality model and BenMAP health analysis tool, the study quantifies avoidable cases of premature mortality, chronic bronchitis, heart attacks, and respiratory/cardiovascular hospitalizations. The findings indicate that the Jeffords Bill provides the highest health benefits in both 2010 and 2020, while the CSA provides the lowest among the policy options. The report also includes a 'No EGU' scenario to establish the total health footprint of coal-fired electricity generating units.

The report finds that diesel pollution caused an estimated 3,000 premature deaths and $21.5 billion in health costs in California in 2004. While new engine standards will reduce emissions over time, the longevity of existing engines means significant health risks persist. The authors argue that full implementation of California's Diesel Risk Reduction Plan and increased funding for the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Standards Attainment Program could prevent 11,000 premature deaths and save between $48 billion and $70 billion by 2020.

The report argues that the health benefits of enforcing New Source Review (NSR) on 51 violating power plants significantly outweigh the costs of installing Best Available Control Technology (BACT). Using EPA-approved methodologies, the analysis estimates that cleaning up these plants would avoid thousands of premature deaths and tens of thousands of asthma attacks annually, with benefits valued at $24-38 billion against an annual cost of approximately $3.6 billion.

The report details how power plant emissions—including particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and mercury—disproportionately harm children due to their developing physiology and higher activity levels. It links these pollutants to asthma, stunted lung growth, neurological deficits, and infant mortality, while advocating for nationwide emission caps and a transition to cleaner energy.

The report details a Harvard School of Public Health study on five power plants (Benning, Chalk Point, Dickerson, Possum Point, and Potomac River) near Washington DC. It finds that these plants are linked to over 250 annual deaths and thousands of respiratory and cardiovascular incidents. The analysis highlights that disadvantaged groups—including those with lower education, African-American children, and elderly diabetics—suffer a disproportionate share of these health impacts. The report argues that implementing readily available pollution control equipment could avoid approximately 75% of these deaths and illnesses.

The report argues that 51 coal-fired power plants in the U.S. have illegally avoided modern pollution controls by exploiting a 'grandfathering' loophole in the Clean Air Act, leading to significant public health crises. Drawing on data from Abt Associates, the Clean Air Task Force estimates that these plants cause between 5,500 and 9,000 premature deaths and 107,000 to 170,000 asthma attacks annually. The report highlights a 'transport of death and disease' where pollution from plants in the Midwest and Southeast impacts the Northeast. It criticizes the Bush Administration's 2001 review of NSR policy as prioritizing industry efficiency over public health and calls for the closure of the 'lethal loophole' through nationwide emission caps on nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, mercury, and carbon dioxide.

The report analyzes the health impacts of ground-level ozone in the Eastern United States, specifically the OTAG region, using 1997 monitoring data and epidemiological concentration-response functions. It estimates that ozone exposure led to 53,000 respiratory hospital admissions, 16,000 cardiovascular hospital admissions, and 159,000 total respiratory emergency room visits during the April-October 1997 season. The analysis highlights significant uncertainty regarding mortality and chronic illness, which were excluded from the quantitative estimates. The findings are compared with a study by the American Lung Association, showing reasonably close results for respiratory admissions.

The document frames climate change as the "biggest global health threat of the 21st century," noting that it has caused over 140,000 deaths per year since the 1970s. It asserts that meeting the 2°C global temperature limit requires consuming no more than one-third of proven fossil fuel reserves by 2050. The text advocates for a substantial carbon price, citing British Columbia's carbon tax as a successful model, and suggests that pricing should eventually reach $100-$200 per tonne of CO2 equivalent. It highlights health co-benefits of low-carbon transitions, such as reduced cardiovascular disease from 'cardio-commuting' and fewer respiratory impacts from wind, solar, and hydro power compared to coal. Finally, it urges physicians to use their professional influence to translate climate science for the public and advocate for systemic changes.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) is calling for a ban on fossil fuel advertising, comparing the industry's deceptive marketing to that of Big Tobacco. The briefing details how fossil fuel emissions cause tens of thousands of premature deaths in Canada, contribute to childhood asthma, and exacerbate climate-related health crises like extreme heat and wildfires. It specifically accuses the Pathways Alliance of misleading the public about emissions and net-zero goals, noting that actual oil sands emissions may be 64 times higher than reported. CAPE advocates for a regulatory framework similar to those implemented in France, Norway, and the EU to protect public health and accelerate the energy transition.

The document outlines the environmental and health risks associated with Alberta's reliance on coal-fired power plants, noting that in 2014, 68 per cent of the province's electricity was generated from coal. It highlights that these plants are major sources of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and mercury, leading to increased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Using the Illness Cost of Air Pollution (ICAP) model for 2008, the document estimates that coal plant pollution caused over 100 deaths and cost approximately $300 million per year in health impacts. Additionally, it links coal plants to climate change, noting they were responsible for 18% of Alberta's total greenhouse gas emissions in 2011, and warns of future climate-related health risks for Albertans, such as increased heat waves and flooding.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment calls for British Columbia to update its Building Code and Energy Step Code to prohibit new gas connections by 2022 and set deadlines for existing buildings to switch to clean energy. The briefing highlights that buildings cause 12% of the province's greenhouse gas emissions and that natural gas use contributes to health risks, including childhood asthma from indoor nitrogen dioxide and lung disease linked to hydraulic fracturing in the Peace region. It notes that retrofitting a home from gas to electric currently costs over $20,000, making the 'future-proofing' of new buildings a cost-effective necessity to meet the province's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Health professionals from 30 countries call on G7 nations to phase out coal power to reduce air pollution and climate-related health risks. The document highlights that coal plants release sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury, contributing to millions of premature deaths and significant healthcare costs. It advocates for renewable energy and energy efficiency as viable alternatives, noting successful phase-outs in regions like Ontario and the UK.

The document highlights the severe health and environmental risks associated with the 300 square kilometers of tailings ponds in northern Alberta, noting unusually high cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan and the presence of toxic chemicals like arsenic and benzene. It criticizes the industry for underestimating air pollution and failing to report spills, while calling for an Indigenous-led health study and a moratorium on tailings pond growth.

The report estimates that the Coal Phase-Out Regulations, Clean Electricity Regulations (CER), Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Regulations, and Methane Regulations will provide between $18 billion and $21 billion in direct health benefits by 2050. These savings, primarily derived from respiratory benefits of reduced emissions, are equivalent to the cost of 2,200 to 2,500 doctors over a 36-year period. The regulations target pollutants including particulate matter, benzene, mercury, lead, NOX, SOX, PM2.5, and VOCs.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and other health organizations call for a green and just economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. They advocate for investments in renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and nature protection to meet Paris Agreement targets, arguing that such actions would save over 112,000 lives by 2050 and increase clean jobs to 1.5 million. The letter emphasizes the need for a recovery that addresses the disproportionate impacts of climate change and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples.

The document argues that the LNG and fracking industries in British Columbia increase healthcare costs by exacerbating climate change, causing local health issues, and contributing to physician shortages in regions like Dawson Creek. It calls for a moratorium on new fracking, stricter pollution regulations, and a phase-out of natural gas in buildings by 2025.

The document outlines how climate mitigation strategies in Canada—such as phasing out coal, reducing building energy use, transitioning transportation, and shifting to plant-based diets—can simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve health outcomes by reducing air pollution and obesity.