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.

 As families start gathering this holiday season, this episode invites us to consider how nourishing ourselves with thoughtful food choices can also help care for the planet.

Our guest is Dr. Tamiko Katsumoto. Dr. Katsumoto is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Immunology and Rheumatology at Stanford University and is board-certified in lifestyle medicine. She is passionate about educating her patients and colleagues on the merits of more sustainable and healthier diets as a way to improve individual health and mitigate climate change.

Referenced in this episode:

Plants for Joints study: https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/62/8/2683/6972770?login=true

Blue Zones study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6125071/

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

The EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems: https://www.thelancet.com/commissions-do/EAT-2025

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.