In this episode of Healthy Climate America, host Lisa Patel discusses the hidden health hazard of indoor air pollution with guest Brady Seals, lead author of a groundbreaking study linking gas stoves to increased pediatric asthma cases. Together, they break down the surprising role of gas stoves in indoor pollution, the political and social waves sparked by the study, and the practical steps we can all take to protect our health at home. Seals shares her unique journey from global work on clean cook stoves to advocating for electric and induction alternatives, highlighting the need for robust policies and infrastructure that prioritize public health—especially for vulnerable and low-income communities. Tune in to explore the complex landscape of indoor air regulation and the powerful changes within reach.

Referenced this episode:

You can read RMI’s research on gas stoves here: https://rmi.org/insight/gas-stoves-pollution-health/

Support our work and become a member of the Consortium by visiting http://bit.ly/member-mscch

Healthy Climate America is produced by Lucy Walker. Our podcast interns are Isaias Segui and Mathilda Tataw. Savannah Martincic is our manager of communication, and Riya Gohtra is our communication intern. Adam Carl supported the editing process. Original music by James Harp.

In this episode of Healthy Climate America, host Lisa Patel speaks with Dr. Elizabeth Pinsky, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and pediatrician at Massachusetts General Hospital. They discuss the significant mental health toll climate change is having on children, including increased anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and depression. Dr. Pinsky shares her personal journey into climate work, strategies for managing climate distress in clinical practice, and ways to build resilience for sustained climate advocacy. The conversation also emphasizes collective action, community support, and broader climate activism as essential elements for both personal and professional well-being.

Referenced this episode

You can read Lisa and Elizabeth’s piece on school reopening below:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-20/the-school-reopening-debate-was-a-test-we-failed

North Carolina Town Sues Duke Energy Over Climate Change: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/business/energy-environment/duke-energy-climate-change-lawsuit.html

Impact of Climate Change on Vaccine Responses and Inequity: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-02192-y

Climate Change, Floods, and Human Health:

https://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJMsr2402457

You can support our work and become a member of the Consortium by visiting http://bit.ly/member-mscch

Healthy Climate America is produced by Lucy Walker. Our podcast interns are Isaias Segui and Mathilda Tataw. Savannah Martincic is our manager of communication, and Riya Gohtra is our communication intern. Adam Carl supported the editing process. Original music by James Harp

In the years ahead, we can expect that climate and clean energy work on a federal level will be severely curtailed, if not entirely eliminated.

On a state level, climate change also faces political headwinds in states like Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation to erase mention of climate change from state law.

Join us as host Lisa Patel and Dr. Cheryl Holder, executive director of Florida Clinicians for Climate Action, discuss the challenges health professionals and climate advocates can face at the local level, the links between climate change and health inequities, and how health professionals can use social media for effective advocacy. Dr. Holder shares what inspired her climate work, her advocacy outside the clinic walls, and what motivates her to keep up the local fight.

Referenced this episode:

National Medical Association: https://members.nmanet.org/

Dr. Holder’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcherylholder/

Dr. Holder’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drcherylholder

Dr.Holder’s Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/cheryl_holder_the_link_between_climate_change_health_and_poverty?subtitle=en

You can support our work and become a member of the Consortium by visiting http://bit.ly/member-mscch

Healthy Climate America is produced by Lucy Walker. Our podcast interns are Isaias Segui and Mathilda Tataw. Savannah Martincic is our manager of communication, and Riya Gohtra is our communication intern. Adam Carl supported the editing process. Original music by James Harp

Interested in taking action on the OSHA standard? See the links below.

Join us as we dive into OSHA's groundbreaking proposal to safeguard indoor and outdoor workers from the rising dangers of extreme heat. Guest expert Juanita Constible from the Natural Resources Defense Council unpacks the history behind this rule, breaks down the key elements of the new protections, and shares powerful advocacy strategies to push it forward. Discover why this rule is essential, how state-level actions are shaping worker protections, and the pivotal role health professionals can play in driving change for safer, healthier workplaces.

Resources:

You can access the Consortium’s heat toolkit, organizational sign on letter, and action alert at this link: https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/advocacy-resources/osha-heat-action-toolkit/

You can read the OSHA proposal here:

https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/rulemaking

Support our work and become a member of the Consortium by visiting http://bit.ly/member-mscch

Healthy Climate America is produced by Lucy Walker. Our podcast interns are Isaias Segui and Mathilda Tataw. Savannah Martincic is our manager of communication, and Riya Gohtra is our communication intern. Adam Carl supported the editing process. Original music by James Harp.

In our inaugural episode, Dr. Ed Maibach, Director of the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, shares his journey in climate and health advocacy, his epiphany moment on climate change as the world's biggest public health challenge, and his efforts in founding the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health.

He and host Dr. Lisa Patel discuss the importance of effective communication, trusted messengers, and actionable guidance to enhance public and political engagement on climate change.

Join us as Dr. Maibach provides valuable insights, optimism, and a call to action for health professionals to join the climate advocacy movement.

Referenced this episode:

2017 IPCC Report: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/

Center for Climate Change Communication: https://www.climatechangecommunication.org/

Climate Matters Program: https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters

You can support our work and become a member of the Consortium by visiting http://bit.ly/member-mscch

Healthy Climate America is produced by Lucy Walker. Our podcast interns are Isaias Segui and Mathilda Tataw. Savannah Martincic is our manager of communication, and Riya Gohtra is our communication intern. Adam Carl supported the editing process. Original music by James Harp.

Hosted by Dr. Lisa Patel, a pediatrician and Executive Director of the Consortium, this podcast focuses on how health professionals, policy makers, advocates, communicators, and activists are working to tackle the different sides of the greatest health crisis facing us today—climate change.

The movement for climate and health justice is a broad one, and there are so many ways to fight for a healthier future. On Healthy Climate America, we'll talk with infectious disease experts, mental health clinicians, labor advocates, and many others from all different sides of the climate movement.

We’ll discuss what got them started, what keeps them motivated, their biggest challenges, and most importantly, how they stay hopeful. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate, or just starting in your climate journey, this podcast is for you.

New episodes released every other Thursday.