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.

The climate crisis is calling on health professionals to organize in new ways. Around the world, they're turning that concern into collective action.

In the second episode of our fall organizing series, guest host Pedja Stojicic sits down with Shweta Narayan, a trained social worker with over two decades of environmental justice campaigning and advocacy experience. She discusses the scope of the problem, what true solidarity looks like in organizing, and how trust and humility can help health professionals build stronger, more hopeful movements.

Referenced in this episode:

Cradle to Grave Report: https://climateandhealthalliance.org/cradle-to-grave-the-health-toll-of-fossil-fuels-and-the-imperative-for-a-just-transition-2nd-edition/

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

Global Climate and Health Alliance: https://climateandhealthalliance.org/

Doctors for Clean Air: https://doctorsforcleanair.org/

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.

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 Reverend 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: 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.

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.