Benjamin Shleifer, MD, FAAP

Benjamin Shleifer, MD, FAAP

Saving our Wetlands: A Climate Solution to Improve Community Health

Children and adults with orange buckets cleaning up a wetland with urban setting, tall buildings, in the background. Picture taken by Andrew Meyer with ReWild Mission Bay
How many times a day do you think about wetlands? Probably not too much. But you might after reading this piece. Wetlands are vibrant ecosystems that not only host and support some of the richest interactions between animal life and the planet, but also store one of the less well known keys to solving the climate change crises and health challenges we face as a society. In other words, we need wetlands for our health and future! Nature and health are inextricably linked. Accessible green and blue spaces including coastal wetlands have been vanishing due to poor coastal and urban planning over the years. We have a unique opportunity to help save these important areas for our kids and grandkids by highlighting and advocating for the important health benefits they serve. We can all advocate for local climate solutions that improve health.