Burris Comments

The second component is to draw on the data collection, analysis, and diffusion capacities of state public health agencies and their staffto power better, faster adaption through better data and learning. [...]this is meant to be an agenda setter, but-as Moulton himself has told us-we lack evidence to support the premise that model laws and the associated legal initiatives are a reliably effective way to advance any specific public health agenda.1 If this gambit is to have any substantial success and impact, its proponentsmust plan through the key elements of a successful law reform movement: the idea and the model law are a start, but success also requires support for getting this law enacted, funding for its proper implementation, and a commitment to evaluate its impact and support diffusion of what works.2Unless these services are baked into the effort, and properly supported by numerous stakeholders in the broader climate fight, the campaign risks being an isolated gesture that neither supports nor benefits from the larger campaign of social learning and change. Don't get me wrong, climate change is clearly already having the severe public health effects science has predicted.4 But it is a "public health issue" in the same way that drug use, diet and activity, economic inequality, and other social determinants are: awicked issue that a health agency cannot own, and cannot manage, on its own.