The Pill and the Planet - Ian Mudway

About this episode

This lecture discusses the environmental costs of modern medicine and explores potential sustainable solutions.

Modern medicine's success in extending lifespans comes at an environmental cost. This lecture explores the pollution from single-use plastics, pharmaceuticals and medical waste, questioning whether we can sustain this model. It examines the impact of drugs and their metabolites on ecosystems, the carbon footprint of healthcare and the ethical dilemma of balancing individual health with planetary health. This talk explores potential solutions, including green pharmacy, innovative materials and...

People in this episode

Host: Gresham College

Guest: Ian Mudway

Topics covered

• environmental impact
• healthcare
• sustainability
• pollution
• ethical dilemmas

Keywords

• lifespan
• ecosystems
• carbon footprint
• drugs
• metabolites

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Gresham College

Products: single-use plastics, pharmaceuticals, medical waste

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