saying those emissions have no major impact on public...

saying those emissions have no major impact on public health."

The claim that fossil fuel emissions have "no major impact on public health" is unequivocally false, as demonstrated by extensive scientific research and global health data. Here’s a synthesis of evidence refuting this assertion:

1. Fossil Fuel Pollution Causes Millions of Premature Deaths Annually

• Air pollution from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) is linked to 8.7 million premature deaths globally each year—double previous estimates—accounting for 1 in 5 deaths worldwide 910.

• In the U.S. alone, fossil fuel-related pollution caused 350,000 premature deaths in 2018, with health costs reaching $886.5 billion annually 19.

2. Direct Health Harms Across Lifespans

• Respiratory/Cardiovascular Disease: Fossil fuel combustion releases PM2.5, ozone, and toxic additives (e.g., benzene), increasing risks of asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, and strokes 189.

• Neurodevelopmental Damage: Prenatal exposure to pollutants is tied to cognitive impairment, ADHD, and autism in children 78.

• Adverse Birth Outcomes: Preterm births and low birth weights spike near fossil fuel infrastructure 49.

3. Climate Change Exacerbates Health Crises

• Fossil fuels drive 90% of human-caused CO₂ emissions, intensifying heatwaves, wildfires, and extreme weather linked to:

  • Heat-related deaths: A 167% rise in mortality among adults over 65 since the 1990s 68.

  • Infectious Diseases: Expanded ranges for dengue, Lyme disease, and waterborne pathogens 810.

  • Food/Water Insecurity: Climate disruptions worsen malnutrition and diarrheal diseases, projected to cause 250,000 additional deaths yearly by 2050 36.

4. Disproportionate Harm to Marginalized Communities

• Communities of color and low-income groups face 56–63% higher PM2.5 exposure than they contribute, with cancer risks 50× the national average in areas like Louisiana’s "Cancer Alley" 17.

• Historic redlining has concentrated fossil fuel infrastructure in these communities, worsening disparities 28.

5. Immediate Benefits of Phasing Out Fossil Fuels

• Transitioning to clean energy could prevent 1.2 million annual deaths from air pollution alone 3. Examples:

  • Retiring coal plants in California reduced preterm births by 2% nearby 4.

  • China’s emission cuts saved 1.5 million lives/year since 2012 9.

Scientific Consensus

Top institutions like Harvard SPH and the Lancet affirm that fossil fuels are "killing us" by driving interlinked health, climate, and inequality crises 210. The WHO labels climate change the "single biggest health threat facing humanity", with fossil fuels as its primary driver 10.

Conclusion: The claim ignores overwhelming evidence of fossil fuels’ catastrophic health impacts, which are systemic, inequitable, and solvable through rapid decarbonization. Policymakers and health experts universally urge phasing out fossil fuels to save lives 2310.

For further reading, see peer-reviewed studies from Harvard’s Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment 11 or the Lancet Countdown reports 610.