How Energy Production and Public Health Are Connected

This chapter presents the environmental, public health, and economic costs of fossil fuel dependence, especially for rural communities that have emphasized fossil fuel extraction in their local economies. Dependence on a fossil fuel economy is at its heart a public health issue, both for its direct environmental exposure threats and the socioeconomic weaknesses perpetuated by such an economy. Research evidence supporting this link is presented. Remedies to reduce exposures and improve public health are briefly presented but await further development in later chapters. There are many reasons to move beyond fossil fuels, but foremost among them is improved public health.