I recently had the opportunity to attend a planning session on the future of the Finn Hill Neighborhood. I was pleased by the emphasis on connectivity of parks, recreational opportunity and promotion of active transportation. As a cardiologist I am concerned about the effects of the built environment on our health. Our society’s daily physical activity continues to drop and our minutes in traffic increase.
The prevalence of obesity and diabetes is skyrocketing. It is from this frame of reference that I view the controversies about the use of the Cross Kirkland Corridor.
As we weigh our local transportation options we must also consider the regional and global impact of our decisions. The status quo has an increasingly negative impact on our health. The transport sector accounts for 45 percent of greenhouse gas emissions statewide and 50 percent of emissions in King County. The health risks of global warming include increased frequency of storms, spread of tropical diseases, food and water supply disruption, and increased frequency of extreme heat events.
This is not just a temporally and geographically distant problem. The health consequences of burning fossil fuels are affecting your family right now. Internal combustion releases small particulate matter known as PM 2.5. These particles increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, adversely affect fetal development and promote several types of cancers. Particulate matter is emitted not only in proportion to miles driven but also at a higher rate per mile in slower or idling traffic. Episodic surges in these substances are directly linked to asthma attacks, heart attacks and stroke.
Mitigation of pollution will require a multipronged approach. Electric buses on the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) or any of the proposed alternatives will not solve global warming by themselves but in conjunction with other similar projects as part of a truly connected regional approach to transport they can move us along the path to a cleaner, healthier future. Likewise maintaining the corridor as is will do little on its own to reverse the trend toward less physical activity and increased chronic disease. We need walkable trails and sidewalks, fewer cars on the road and safe bike lanes. We need all of this to be connected and accessible. The co-benefits of public transport and active transport are huge: cleaner air, more daily physical activity, reducing our risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke and cancer.
Mark Vossler MD is a practicing cardiologist and chairman of the department of Medicine at EvergreenHealth. He also chairs the Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility Task force on Climate and Health. He and his wife, Susan, lead the Kirkland Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby.
