Here in the Southeast US, natural gas is a fossil fuel that provides electricity for our homes and business. We use it daily throughout our homes in winter and powering our air conditioners in the summer. In fact, natural gas accounts for 74% of the electricity in Mississippi compared to the national average of 34%.  It affects the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.

As a Physician, I know having a clean environment is of vital importance in improving the health of our patients. Switching from fossil gas to Clean Energy sources is necessary when it comes to protecting our health.   We need all of our physicians and other health care providers to inform their patients about the necessity to have Clean Energy. Many rural communities in Mississippi get their electricity from natural gas provided by Rural Electric Co-Ops and burning methane gas that can be harmful to our health.

Rural Electric Co-Ops in Mississippi are private non-profit companies that were designed as a unique solution to get electricity to rural communities across over 65% of Mississippi with the mission of better service and lower prices for its members.   Unfortunately, in Mississippi, only 3% of electricity comes from Clean Energy such as Solar panels. The rest comes from natural gas and other unhealthy sources such as coal and costs more for its members.

The main component of Natural gas is Methane. Methane is the most potent and harmful on its own as a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the lower atmosphere known as ground ozone, increasing the temperatures in our environment, and impacting our health. Chronic exposure to methane especially from gas leaks can cause vision problems, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, increase heart rate, problems with balance, numbness, unconsciousness, and death methane reduces the amount of oxygen in the air we breathe.

Methane along with other non-renewable forms of gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide trap the heat and vapor in our environment causing what is referred to as Climate Change. The changes in our climate increase the temperatures and are causing early spring blossoms and hotter summers causing heat-related illness and worsening the health of our patients with pre-existing diseases such as asthma, seasonal allergies COPD, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.  Children are missing days in school and adults are missing days of work. Both are suffering.

We, as Physicians across the states, regions, and country are increasingly talking to our patients about the climate and switching to clean energy sources. The simple fact is the changing climate, fueled by natural gas is harming our health. Switching to clean energy sources such as Solar panel rooftops is necessary when it comes to protecting our health.

Through Mississippi rural electric co-ops there is a path for all members to transition to clean energy and improve our health.

Part of the Rural Electric Co-ops’ purpose is to empower consumer-members to improve the quality of their lives.  Members are part owners of the Co-ops and have a voice, theoretically, in the decisions the Co-op makes. It is essential that we use this voice to encourage Co-ops to adopt more clean energy solutions like Solar panel rooftops to provide electricity for our homes.

Advantages of Clean/Renewable Energy sources such as Solar panel rooftops:

• Health and environmental benefits by reducing air pollution making it easier to breathe.
• Greenhouses gases emissions are reduced
• Consumer savings with energy efficiency, solar and electric vehicles.
• Creating economic development and jobs in manufacturing and home improvements with efficiency and solar panels.
• Creates jobs for installation and manufacturing of Solar panels.
• Use as a Tax Credit

As physicians, we can make a difference for our patient’s health and well being by advocating to Electric Co-Ops and encouraging its members to attend their Board meetings to inform Board of the importance of switching to Energy Efficiency and Clean/ Renewable Energy power in their homes and overall better health breathing clean air.

Linda I. Walden, M.D., FAAFP is a Family Physician,  Founding /Steering Committee member for Georgia Clinicians for Climate Action & Member of the Medical Society Consortium for Climate and Health.