The fast-moving Palisades fire in Los Angeles has destroyed homes, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate as flames spread at an alarming rate. Additional wildfires in the county, including the Eaton and Hurst fires, have compounded the crisis, leaving over 200,000 buildings without power. Officials have declared an emergency, warning that strong winds will further challenge firefighting efforts.
The George Washington University has experts available to comment on a variety of aspects related to wildfires including climate change, smoke-related health concerns and prevention strategies. If you are interested in scheduling an interview with a GW expert please contact GW media relations at [email protected].
Susan Anenberg, is the director of the GW Climate & Health Institute, and professor and Chair of the department of environmental and occupational health. Anenberg’s research focuses on the health implications of air pollution, including smoke from wildfires and climate change. Anenberg can discuss the benefits of staying indoors when air quality is poor and the risk of inhaling pollutants from smoke.
Kate Applebaum is an associate professor in the department of environmental and occupational health. Her research focuses on environmental and occupational exposures influencing the risk of chronic diseases.
Lisa Benton-Short is a professor of geography at GW and an expert on urban sustainability, environmental issues in cities, and cities and immigration. Her research focuses on the dynamics of the urban environment from many angles, including planning and public space, urban sustainability, globalization, and immigration. Benton-Short can speak to the current wildfire season from a climate change perspective as well as the role of uncontrolled suburban development. She can also discuss how climate change and its effects on natural disasters like wildfires impact cities as well as what cities are doing to adapt to and mitigate climate change.
Jonathan Deason is a professor and director of the GW Environmental & Energy Management Institute. His expertise includes all aspects of air quality management, including greenhouse gas management and implications for global climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as environmental management and energy policy.
Robert Glicksman, the J.B. and Maurice C Shapiro Professor of Environmental Law at the George Washington University Law School is a nationally and internationally recognized expert on environmental, natural resources, and administrative law issues. Glicksman’s areas of expertise include environmental and natural resources law. Glicksman has consulted on various environmental and natural resources law issues, including work for the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation.
Adriana Glenn is an assistant professor in the GW School of Nursing. She has 30 years of experience as a family nurse practitioner. She can discuss the dangers of breathing in wildfire smoke.
Daisy Lee is an associate professor in the GW School of Nursing. She is a social scientist in behavioral and community health specializing in community-engaged cancer prevention and health disparities research.
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