November 5, 2025
From Haze to Hope: Tackling Air Pollution and Protecting Lung Health in a Changing Climate
Dr. Mary Rice
Director of the Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment at the Harvard School of Public Respiratory Health
From Haze to Hope: Tackling Air Pollution and Protecting Lung Health in a Changing Climate
Dr. Mary Rice
Director of the Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment at the Harvard School of Public Respiratory Health
Len Berlik, introducer, and Dr. Mary Rice
Minutes of the Ninth Meeting of the 84th Year
On November 5, 2025 at 10:13 A.M., President George Bustin called the 9th meeting of the 84th year of Old Guard to order. Ralph Widner read the minutes from the previous meeting. The following guests (and their hosts) were introduced: Dee Gozonsky (Nancy Greenspan); Mark Holmes (John Cotton); Nancee Goldstein (Steve Goldstein); Marieanne Grey (Susan Chernmak); Adria Sherman (Nancy Greenspan); Peter Yi (Len Berlik); Alice Yi (Len Berlik); Laura Berlik (Len Berlik)
None were potential applicants.
The new members were asked to stand and were welcomed as a group.
In memoriam: John Bassett Moore Frederick joined the Old Guard in 2000. He died October 29, 2025
139 Old Guard members and guests attended. President Bustin reminded the group of the entrance and exit rules to the Jewish Center.
Len Berlik introduced our speaker, his daughter, Mary Rice. She is Director of the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health and Catherine Winkler Associate Professor of Environmental Respiratory Health. She is also the Director of the Institute for Lung Health at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She has led essential research to identify preventable causes of respiratory illness in children and adults, including environmental exposures such as air pollution and allergens, and to evaluate solutions for patients and policymakers. On multiple occasions, Dr. Rice has given expert testimony before Congress on the health effects of air pollution and the benefits of air quality and carbon regulations. As a physician specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine, she has also seen first-hand the impact that climate change has on human health, while helping countless patients suffering from chronic lung disease. She has multiple degrees from Harvard University: BS in Environmental Science, Master of Public Health degree, and MD.
The science regarding the warming effect of CO2 began in 1896. CO2 traps heat. Temperatures rise with its increased levels. Even given optimistic scenarios of climate action, global annual temperatures are expected to rise above the current 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold level. Air pollution today is worse for global lifespan than cigarettes and alcohol.
Her talk was divided into four sections: (I) climate change and air quality; (II) the effects of air pollution; (III) areas to improve; and (IV) the benefits of action.
I. Climate Change and Air Quality
There are four reasons why climate change becomes an air quality problem.
1) First, although we have made progress reducing the Ozone (O3) buildup, we are eroding past progress. Ozone is a toxic oxidant and a powerful respiratory irritant.
2) Second, higher CO2 and temperature levels amplify the Pollen count by lengthening the pollen season, facilitating its growth, and intensifying its effects. Exposure to pollen can lead to inflammation of the airways, and provokes asthma and lung disease.
3) Third, warm dry conditions increase the risk of destructive Wildfires, which spew carbons and toxic chemicals. The build-up of bio-mass contributes to the problem. Recently, wildfires have increased in length and intensity. As an example, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Los Angeles in 2025 reached hazardous levels (301-500 AQI) due to wildfires. This is the equivalent of smoking 22 cigarettes a day. As a comparison, our AQI in Princeton is typically 8. An AQI of 0-50 is good.
4) Fourth, Fuel Combustion itself is a problem and can lead to a myriad of problems such as smog. The great London smog of 1952 is a breakthrough case. Its effect caused a near black-out of the city resulting in peak levels of death. Carbon-related exposure at work is another problem. Think of coal miners.
II. Effects of Air Pollution
Air pollution scars and impairs the lungs. Its effects cascade into the rest of the body through the blood steam. Impacts include higher levels of lung diseases, diabetes, cardio-vascular mortality, and strokes.
III. Benefits of Improving air quality
The Lancet Commission in 2015 concluded that “Tackling climate change could be the greatest global health care opportunity of the 21st Century.” Studies have shown that humans can achieve a longer life expectancy of 1.4 years due to cleaner air. The benefits related to improving air quality are so great that they outweigh the cost of phasing out fossil fuels.
IV. Areas to Improve
There are four main areas that can improve the situation:
1) National and Global Policy. Tighter government laws and regulation are needed. Closure of coal plants also yields great benefits. Records show that there is a 3.6% decrease in average monthly mortality rates after each plant closure.
2) Action within cities and local communities. School bus electrification yields startling results. Realizing the problem of traffic-related pollution is needed. Each bus electrified generates health and climate benefits of $270,000 per the life of the bus.
3) We need to adapt our Health Care Systems to the challenges of a warming climate.
4) At the Individual Level, we need to educate people and make them change behavior.
In conclusion, we must adapt to climate change. Dr. Rice presented a chart that paralleled the effects of smoking tobacco with the deleterious impact of fossil fuel use. In each case, powerful economic interests have tried to slow down the science, and people rationalized why not to quit.
Professor Rice concluded by saying that tackling air pollution and protecting lung health in a changing climate is within our grasp.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:29 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
James Hockenberry
None were potential applicants.
The new members were asked to stand and were welcomed as a group.
In memoriam: John Bassett Moore Frederick joined the Old Guard in 2000. He died October 29, 2025
139 Old Guard members and guests attended. President Bustin reminded the group of the entrance and exit rules to the Jewish Center.
Len Berlik introduced our speaker, his daughter, Mary Rice. She is Director of the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health and Catherine Winkler Associate Professor of Environmental Respiratory Health. She is also the Director of the Institute for Lung Health at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She has led essential research to identify preventable causes of respiratory illness in children and adults, including environmental exposures such as air pollution and allergens, and to evaluate solutions for patients and policymakers. On multiple occasions, Dr. Rice has given expert testimony before Congress on the health effects of air pollution and the benefits of air quality and carbon regulations. As a physician specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine, she has also seen first-hand the impact that climate change has on human health, while helping countless patients suffering from chronic lung disease. She has multiple degrees from Harvard University: BS in Environmental Science, Master of Public Health degree, and MD.
The science regarding the warming effect of CO2 began in 1896. CO2 traps heat. Temperatures rise with its increased levels. Even given optimistic scenarios of climate action, global annual temperatures are expected to rise above the current 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold level. Air pollution today is worse for global lifespan than cigarettes and alcohol.
Her talk was divided into four sections: (I) climate change and air quality; (II) the effects of air pollution; (III) areas to improve; and (IV) the benefits of action.
I. Climate Change and Air Quality
There are four reasons why climate change becomes an air quality problem.
1) First, although we have made progress reducing the Ozone (O3) buildup, we are eroding past progress. Ozone is a toxic oxidant and a powerful respiratory irritant.
2) Second, higher CO2 and temperature levels amplify the Pollen count by lengthening the pollen season, facilitating its growth, and intensifying its effects. Exposure to pollen can lead to inflammation of the airways, and provokes asthma and lung disease.
3) Third, warm dry conditions increase the risk of destructive Wildfires, which spew carbons and toxic chemicals. The build-up of bio-mass contributes to the problem. Recently, wildfires have increased in length and intensity. As an example, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Los Angeles in 2025 reached hazardous levels (301-500 AQI) due to wildfires. This is the equivalent of smoking 22 cigarettes a day. As a comparison, our AQI in Princeton is typically 8. An AQI of 0-50 is good.
4) Fourth, Fuel Combustion itself is a problem and can lead to a myriad of problems such as smog. The great London smog of 1952 is a breakthrough case. Its effect caused a near black-out of the city resulting in peak levels of death. Carbon-related exposure at work is another problem. Think of coal miners.
II. Effects of Air Pollution
Air pollution scars and impairs the lungs. Its effects cascade into the rest of the body through the blood steam. Impacts include higher levels of lung diseases, diabetes, cardio-vascular mortality, and strokes.
III. Benefits of Improving air quality
The Lancet Commission in 2015 concluded that “Tackling climate change could be the greatest global health care opportunity of the 21st Century.” Studies have shown that humans can achieve a longer life expectancy of 1.4 years due to cleaner air. The benefits related to improving air quality are so great that they outweigh the cost of phasing out fossil fuels.
IV. Areas to Improve
There are four main areas that can improve the situation:
1) National and Global Policy. Tighter government laws and regulation are needed. Closure of coal plants also yields great benefits. Records show that there is a 3.6% decrease in average monthly mortality rates after each plant closure.
2) Action within cities and local communities. School bus electrification yields startling results. Realizing the problem of traffic-related pollution is needed. Each bus electrified generates health and climate benefits of $270,000 per the life of the bus.
3) We need to adapt our Health Care Systems to the challenges of a warming climate.
4) At the Individual Level, we need to educate people and make them change behavior.
In conclusion, we must adapt to climate change. Dr. Rice presented a chart that paralleled the effects of smoking tobacco with the deleterious impact of fossil fuel use. In each case, powerful economic interests have tried to slow down the science, and people rationalized why not to quit.
Professor Rice concluded by saying that tackling air pollution and protecting lung health in a changing climate is within our grasp.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:29 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
James Hockenberry
Dr. Rice has also provided a link to her slide presentation. You can access the slides here.