STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Learn how hope and health factor into the climate crisis when St. Luke’s Health System and Idaho Clinicians for Climate and Health offer a free fall lecture series.
The first of four sessions will kick off at noon Wednesday, Sept. 13 with others offered Sept. 20, Nov. 1 and Nov. 15. People can join virtually by registering at https://cvent.me/wdNYON.
The lineup:
Saving Us with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 12-1 pm MST
Dr. Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist who studies climate change. She doesn’t accept global warming on faith: She crunches the data, analyzes the models, and helps engineers, city managers and ecologists quantify the impacts. She will discuss what we can do to move the needle toward solutions.
Health and Human Services: Office of Climate Change and Health Equity
Wednesday, Sept. 20: Noon-1 pm MST
Hear directly from Joe McCannon at the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity on the importance of engagement in the U.S. Health Sectors' efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and the HHS Pledge.
Hope, Health, and the Climate Crisis
Wednesday, Nov. 1: Noon-1 pm MST
Dr. Howard Frumkin is an internist, environmental and occupational medicine specialist and epidemiologist. His research interests include public health aspects of the built environment, climate change, energy policy and nature contact. Dr. Frumkin will discuss how hope has been viewed since ancient times as a bedrock of human thriving, and contemporary evidence suggests that hope is a determinant of health and one we need in this time of climate crisis.
The Health Benefits of Climate Action
Wednesday, Nov. 15: Noon-1 pm MST
Dr. Gaurab Basu will discuss why health equity is important to everyone and the intersection between and complexity of environmental and health impacts. He will discuss developing resources for clinicians and students. Dr. Basu will also share how and why he electrified his home and what he discovered on that journey. In 2021, Dr. Basu was named to the Grist 50 list of national climate leaders.
St. Luke’s and Idaho Clinicians for Climate and Health launched their first lecture series addressing health and climate change in 2022. Session recordings will be available to any registrants and can also be viewed on the St. Luke’s YouTube page upon conclusion.