Healthy Climate America

From firing staff and freezing recovery grants to rolling back resilience programs, recent changes to FEMA have left it unprepared to deal with worsening extreme weather. What does that mean for our communities? On the second episode of Extreme Weather Explained, host Dr. Lisa Patel sits down with Shana Udvardy, a Senior Climate Resilience Policy Analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists. Shana breaks down recent changes to the agency, what they mean for our ability to prepare for and respond to extreme weather, and how health professionals can help people stay safe this Danger Season. Mentioned in this episode: Union of Concerned Scientists: https://www.ucs.org/ UCS Blog: https://blog.ucs.org/ NPR Hurricane Katrina Series: https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-84645/hurricane-katrina-anniversary Join or support the Consortium here: https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/ Healthy Climate America is produced by Savannah Martincic. Our podcast intern is Isaias Segui. Our music was composed by James Harp.

Extreme heat is already the deadliest weather-related hazard in this country. The good news is that this is preventable. Saving lives starts with preparing before heat hits while laying the foundation for more resilient communities. Our guest is Grace Wickerson, senior manager of climate and health at the Federation of American Scientists. In this special Heat Safety Week episode, we talk about how heat resilience efforts are evolving, promising solutions emerging across the country, and a new state and local heat policy agenda that's in the works. Federation of American Scientists: https://fas.org/ State and Local Heat Policy Agenda: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15gJpL7D4OVP8tWAuTNpY6JC6MHPPFVXIKzxffSuxnbo/edit?usp=sharing Support the State and Local Heat Policy Agenda: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPmAHymTNfQ2hrgIHwX9ccTXgzopsGtYXYDETBTJj773m_RA/viewform Join or support the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health: https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/ Healthy Climate America is produced by Savannah Martincic. Our podcast intern is Isaias Segui. Our music was composed by James Harp.

At the 2026 Our Planet, Our Health Convention, three incredible health professionals courageously told the story of how and why they became the climate advocates they are today. You can now hear their stories in this special epsiode. Our storytellers are Nisha Sridhar, a fourth-year medical student; Wendy Bernstein, a senior community psychiatrist at the Wellness Equity Alliance; and Sheetal Khedkar Rao, an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago. When health professionals share our stories, we help people remember our words, find their purpose, and boldly envision a healthier future. We hope this episode is the dose of inspiration you need to share your own. 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.

Climate change is increasingly shaping why people are forced to leave their homes, the risks they face along the way, and their health and safety in new places. Today's guest is Marysel Pagán Santana, DrPH, MS, the Director of Environmental and Occupational Health of Migrant Clinicians Network in Puerto Rico. She leads and coordinates MCN projects related to occupational health, disaster preparedness, and emergency response. She sits down with host Dr. Lisa Patel to explore who is affected, what health systems can do to better understand their needs to ensure continuity of care, and how seeing migration as normal can help us build stronger communities. Migrant Clinicians Network: https://www.migrantclinician.org/ MCN Health Network: https://www.migrantclinician.org/our-work/health-network.html 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.

Cancer Alley is an 85-mile stretch of land from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. With the largest density of petrochemical operations in the world, the area is ground zero for environmental injustice and human rights violations. Sharon Lavigne is a pioneering organizer who resides along Cancer Alley in St. James Parish, Louisiana. She's a former special education teacher who founded RISE St. James to push back against the proliferation of petrochemical industries. In this episode, Sharon reflects on the health harms her community faces, the fight against industry presence, and what healthcare professionals can do to be better allies in this advocacy. If you would like to support Sharon and RISE St. James, please click here: https://risestjames.org/. Their work is truly a fight to survive, thrive, and prosper. We can do our part by not looking away and lending our time, energy, and resources to a healthier, safer future. 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.

From global walkouts and strikes to protests and boycotts, youth climate activists are showing how collective action can drive real change by organizing and mobilizing thousands around bold campaigns. At the same time, help professionals are bringing their expertise and trusted voices to the fight. So how do we bring these groups together to amplify their impact and tackle the complex challenges of climate change more effectively than ever before? On the final episode of "The Organizer's Handbook," guest host Dr. Pedja Stojicic sits down with Dominika Lasota, a youth climate justice activist. Dominika discusses the power of simple messages and building connections with communities on the frontlines of the crisis, explores how youth organizers and health professionals can learn from one another to build a stronger movement, and reflects on her vision for the future. 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Misinformation spreads fast, and we've all witnessed the consequences. Vaccine misinformation, climate denialism, and a host of medical conspiracy theories aren't just fringe ideas anymore; they're all over our social media platforms and in the halls of government. When information moves as quickly as it does in this digital age, how can health professionals use their trusted voice to share the truth? Lisa sits down with John Cook, a senior research fellow at the Melbourne Center for Behavior change, to talk about misinformation and disinformation and what health professionals can do to push back.

In August 2023, a group of brave young Montanans took a stand for their right to a healthy environment—and they won. Join Lisa as she speaks with Drs. Lori and Rob Byron, who contributed their medical expertise to this landmark case. Together, they delve into the impacts of climate change on Montana, explore how these inspiring youth used their voices in the courtroom, and share how doctors can apply their unique knowledge to advocate for climate action. Referenced this episode: Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate: https://www.montanahphc.org/ Our Children's Trust: https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/ 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.

How do you inspire a major medical society to take on climate action? Dr. Jerry Abraham has some powerful insights. Join him and host Lisa Patel as they explore his path into climate advocacy, his dedication to climate justice and racial equity, and the strategic moves he's using to elevate climate change within his medical society. Referenced this episode: AMA's declaration of climate change as a public health crisis: https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-adopts-new-policy-declaring-climate-change-public-health-crisis Climate and Health Organizing Fellowship: https://www.healthequity.challiance.org/climate-health-2023-24 The American Academy of Pediatrics: Climate Change and Children's Health: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/3/e2023065505/196648/Climate-Change-and-Children-s-Health-Building-a?autologincheck=redirected 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.