As the effects of the climate crisis worsen, more and more health professionals are recognizing that healing their communities also means organizing for change.

In the first episode of our new three-part miniseries, host Lisa Patel sits down with Drs. Gaurab Basu and Pedja Stojicic. They are showing what’s possible in climate and health organizing, while helping others grow through training and mentorship. Gaurab and Pedja discuss their journeys into this work, the power of building connections, and how we can find hope in collective action.

Referenced in this episode:

People Power Health: https://www.peoplepowerhealth.org/

What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures: https://www.getitright.earth/

Climate Health Organizing Fellows Program: https://www.healthequity.challiance.org/climate-health-2023-24

Global Community Organizing and Advocacy for Climate and Health (Global COACH) Scholars: https://fxb.harvard.edu/global-coach/

Marshall Ganz’s Community Organizing Framework: https://commonslibrary.org/organizing-people-power-change/

Support our work and become a member of the Consortium here: https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/donate-or-become-a-member/

Healthy Climate America is produced by Savannah Martincic. Our podcast consultant is Julie Hantman. Our podcast intern is Isaias Segui. Our music was composed by James Harp.

Even in the face of exhausting headlines and deep division, communities are finding ways to care for one another, take bold local action, and imagine new possibilities. From installing solar panels at churches to advancing tribal energy sovereignty, these efforts show that freedom and hope can still be created.

Our guest today is Reverand Casey Martinez-Tinnin, a  queer pastor and justice advocate. He joins host Dr. Lisa Patel to talk about his journey into climate advocacy, his work with tribal nations and churches building clean energy independence, and the power of hope and authenticity.

Referenced in this episode:

Grey Snow Sovereign Solutions, LLC - https://greysnow.com/grey-snow-sovereign-solutions-llc/

“See No Stranger” by Valerie Kaur - https://valariekaur.com/books/see-no-stranger/

SunSource - http://www.sunsourceus.com

The Landing Spot - https://www.thelandingspot.org/

Support our work and become a member of the Consortium here.

Healthy Climate America is produced by Savannah Martincic. Our podcast consultant is Julie Hantman. Our podcast intern is Isaias Segui. Savannah Martincic is our manager of communication. Our music was composed by James Harp.

For the last 15 years, the endangerment finding has been a cornerstone of U.S. climate policy. Now, it and many other crucial protections are under attack. The proposed rollback would undermine mountains of scientific evidence and harm our health.

Our guest today is the incomparable Gina McCarthy, who was serving as Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation when the endangerment finding was issued. We’re thrilled to have her with us today to tell us more about why the endangerment finding and other regulations are essential to our health and economic well-being and what gives her hope for the path forward.

Referenced in this episode:

America Is All In: https://www.americaisallin.com/

Endangerment Finding Action Toolkit: https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/action-alerts/action-toolkits-defend-the-endangerment-finding/

Support our work and become a member of the Consortium here: https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/donate-or-become-a-member/

Healthy Climate America is produced by Savannah Martincic. Our podcast consultant is Julie Hantman. Our podcast intern is Isaias Segui. Savannah Martincic is our manager of communication. Our music was composed by James Harp.

Sustainability in healthcare is no longer a distant goal—it’s happening now. Across hospitals, health professionals are rethinking long-standing practices to cut waste and make care safer, smarter, and more resilient.

On this week’s episode, host Lisa Patel sits down with Drs. Preeti Jaggi and Shreya Doshi. Together, they have established “Sustainabil-ID,” a collaborative dedicated to advancing sustainable practices within healthcare, with a particular focus on infectious diseases. They discuss their journey into environmental stewardship, how health systems can be doing better, and what health professionals across all specialties can do to support this work.

Referenced in this episode:

https://academic.oup.com/jpids/article/13/6/306/7675997

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39346657/

If you are interested in joining Sustainabil-ID, please email sustainabilityiddocs@gmail.com.

Support our work and become a member of the Consortium here.

Healthy Climate America is produced by Savannah Martincic. Our podcast consultant is Julie Hantman. Our podcast intern is Isaias Segui. Savannah Martincic is our manager of communication. Our music was composed by James Harp.

Climate change has become one of the most polarizing issues in American politics. For decades, the conversation has often fallen along party lines, fueled by mistrust, disinformation, and entrenched beliefs.

On this week’s episode, host Lisa Patel sits down with Bob Inglis, a former U.S. Representative and current executive director of republicEN. They discuss his journey from skeptic to advocate, the importance of finding common ground, and how we create space for real dialogue to move us forward together.

Referenced in This Episode

RepublicEN

Support our work and become a member of the Consortium here.

Healthy Climate America is produced by Savannah Martincic. Our podcast consultant is Julie Hantman. Our podcast intern is Isaias Segui. Savannah Martincic is our manager of communication. Our music was composed by James Harp.

Extreme heat is a growing threat, and communities need practical solutions. In this episode, guest host Dr. Marc Futernick sits down with Jonathan Parfrey, executive director of Climate Resolve, to talk about a needed but often overlooked solution: cool surfaces. They discuss how cool surfaces can reduce urban heat, improve health outcomes, and deliver real economic and climate benefits. Plus, they explore how health professionals can advocate for these efforts locally.

Referenced in This Episode

Climate Resolve

https://climateresolve.org/

Cool Surfaces in Pacoima

https://climateresolve.org/cool-surfaces-in-pacoima/

Urban Heat Island Index for California

https://calepa.ca.gov/climate/urban-heat-island-index-for-california/

Shine On Initiative

https://climateresolve.org/shine-on-initiative/

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. A sincere thank you to Adam Karl for his support in the editing process. Our music was composed by James Harp.

Extreme heat is becoming a major threat to pregnant people and their babies. In this episode, guest host Dr. Bruce Bekkar sits down with Dr. Santosh Pandipati, Co-Founder and Chief Health Officer at Lōvu and Founder and President of Silicon Valley Maternal-Fetal Medicine. They discuss the health impacts, the inequities that worsen them, and how health professionals can help through patient care and advocacy.

Referenced in this episode:

Climate Change Nearly Doubled Pregnancy Heat Risk Days in U.S.

https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/pregnancy-heat-risk-days

Lōvu

https://lovu.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. A sincere thank you to Adam Karl for his support in the editing process. Our music was composed by James Harp.

Guest host Dr. Neda Frayha sits down with Delaney Nolan, a freelance journalist based in New Orleans, to talk about the critical intersection of extreme heat and housing. They discuss the risks, what solutions are needed, and how health professionals can better support populations who may not have access to the resources they need to stay safe.

‘The heat will eat you up’: homeless in New Orleans on the hottest days in its history - Delaney Nolan, The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/31/new-orleans-homeless-residents-extreme-heat

Southern Solidarity

https://southernsolidarity.org/

ProPublica Wet Bulb Map

https://projects.propublica.org/climate-migration/#:~:text=Extreme%20Heat%20and%20Humidity%3A%202040%2D2060

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. A sincere thank you to Adam Karl for his support in the editing process. Our music was composed by James Harp.