Harvard professor Joel Schwartz drew a crowd of over 100 to the Danforth University Center Thursday evening as he stressed the impact climate change would have on public health.

Schwartz’s research includes the health effects of lead and air pollutants and ozone exposure along with environmental decision making.

His talk followed recent plans to expand the east side of Washington University’s campus in an environmentally responsible way.

The lecture, organized by a coalition of Washington University groups including the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic, the Institute for Public Health, and the Sustainability Office, was followed by an hour-long panel of academic and community leaders, including Schwartz, speaking with regard to climate change and the public health issues which accompany it.

“Climate change is real, and climate change is killing people. Most models predict a warming of five degrees in the summer months if we continue on our present path,” he told the crowd. “You may be able to deal with-and might even enjoy–a five degree increase. But the crops will not.”

Following the introductory lecture, Schwartz joined a panel consisting of Mark Smith, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency regional office; Kendra Glover, director of the NAACP’s environmental and climate justice program; and Reverend Rodrick Burton, pastor at the New Northside Missionary Baptist Church. One of the panelists, Maxine Lipeles, director of the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic, spoke about efforts toward sustainability being made on Washington University’s campus.

“I think one of the frustrations with climate change is that what needs to be done can seem so overwhelming,” Lipeles said. “It’s good to see concrete steps that are being taken to help spur people to think of other things that can be done.”

Rachel Westrate, a Washington University senior, appreciated Schwartz’s approach to discussing climate change.

“I think the interdisciplinary approach that Dr. Schwartz took–to not only some of the more scientific aspects of the issue but also the impact on public health–was really interesting,” she said. “I really liked how he talked about many of the studies he had done and his own personal research as well.”

Westrate continued to stress the importance of addressing climate change on campus.

“Problems with climate change affect people on a day-to-day basis, whether they realize it or not, and I think the talk really helped myself, and others, realize that,” Westrate said.

Organizers made the most of Schwartz’s time on campus, and he attended multiple events throughout the day, including informal meetings with environmental studies faculty and medical students.

“Dr. Schwartz spent basically all day on campus…so we made more than full use of his time on campus,” Lipeles said.