Our Environment, Our Health

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 22, 2020) — In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, we would like to share this video that would have opened the CCTS “Our Environment, Our Health” Spring Conference, originally scheduled for April 21. The video highlights the impacts of human activity on air, water, and soil—especially in Kentucky—which in turn affect human health.  We hope you get a sense of the important work of environmental research happening at UK and with our community partners, as well as environmental considerations around the globe.

As the world rightfully turns its attention to COVID-19, we are also seeing positive environmental effects of reduced human activity like industry and transportation. Due to lower emissions, for example, air quality has demonstrably improved, with nitrogen dioxide decreases of up to 60% in some places. But experts say these improvements will not endure once the world's populations returns to its usual activities. While we strive to contain the dangerous virus, we must also remember that even after its threat is eliminated we will still be affected by our environment, and vice versa.
 
This video was created with Google Earth Studio by Christian Eisinger, a master's student in data science, and Chris Delcher, PhD, who was part of the CCTS conference planning committee and a lead on the geospatial breakout session. 

Learn more about the history of Earth Day, which launched the modern environmental movement in 1970. »

Christian Eisinger is part of the first cohort of the Master of Science in Data Science program. Christian hopes to graduate in December and work as a data scientist.

Chris Delcher, PhD, is an epidemiologist and assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science and the associate director of the Institute for Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the UK College of Pharmacy. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Mallory Powell, mallory.powell@uky.edu