Abstract 1346 Crafting Actionable Research in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to Support Human and Planetary Health

The planet is changing and we are in an "all-hands-on-deck" moment. Even if we had a magic wand to stop all greenhouse gas emissions immediately, the planet would still warm and we would experience extreme weather events for decades, thus adaptation is essential. Using an integrated and transdisciplinary approach known as the coupled human and natural systems framework, this presentation aims to inspire actionable research programs that contribute the evidence needed to evoke behavioral change needed to mitigate and adapt to climate change and build resilience in our homes, cities, and ecosystems. My research examines the psychological and physiological mechanisms by which access to naturalistic spaces, so called green or blue spaces, improves human health, specifically stress related cardiometabolic disease and Type-2 diabetes. Because health disparities in these diseases are associated with the lack of greenspace in addition to other environmental and socioeconomic disparities, my basic research has drawn me into a world that intersects with climate scientists, ecologists, physicians, public health and park departments, and urban planners. This led to collaborations investigating ways our cities can mitigate and adapt to climate change. Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related mortality in the United States. Those of you familiar with Chicago may remember the 1995 heat wave that killed over 700 people. We know that the flooding that results from extreme rainfall events, while causing acute damage to infrastructure, also leads to chronic illnesses and asthma when mold grows in houses. We know that climate change can impact air quality by increasing things such as ground level ozone, pollen, and smoke from wildfires which contribute to respiratory disease. However, we also know that urban planning that incorporates green infrastructure can mitigate many of these problems at lower costs than building concrete and metal structures. However, "knowing" these things does not change public policy. We don't talk about the effects of stratospheric ozone depletion on human health much anymore thanks to the United Nations and the Montreal Protocol. We don't talk about the near extinction of the Bald Eagle because Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring. We don't talk about these environmental near disasters, because advocates equipped with strong scientific evidence forced governments to regulate the chlorofluorocarbons that contributed to the breakdown of ozone in the stratosphere and to ban DDT which softened the shells of bird eggs. It takes good data and well-crafted stories to sway policy and practice. Think about how you could make minor tweaks in your research program to make your work actionable to address planetary health. It might not take much. Think about how to tell a story with the data. Let's make our data actionable and create compelling stories that will leverage policy and practice, so we have more success stories such as the closing of the ozone hole and the return of the Bald Eagle. Funding provided by The Negaunee Foundation and NIH/HL170504.