Nick Watts is a physician & Executive Director of Lancet Countdown. He joins us to discuss a defining issue for humanity: climate change. We discuss how climate change is a threat multiplier to human health, the role of the individual in responding to climate change, & how Game of Thrones & climate change are interconnected.
Key Learnings
How climate change became Nick’s calling after finishing medical training
Defining the scope of Lancet Countdown and goals of the project
Recognizing how climate change is a threat multiplier of determinants of human health and the response can serve as an enormous opportunity to impact health
The role of the individual in driving humankind’s response to climate change & tangible steps we can all take today
The incredible carbon footprint that healthcare has and the positive impact of reducing emissions in the industry
Increasing recognition that a low carbon footprint has a positive effect on public health
Why I don’t care about pushback to this effort or addressing climate change denial
Ways the Lancet is getting to a wider and wider demographic to increase engagement
How climate change is working its way into pop culture
The similarities between Game of Thrones and climate change
Our shared stories around the impact of climate change as a stimulus for change
A call to action, because it’s Go Time!
Links
Lancet Countdown: http://www.lancetcountdown.org
We Are Still In: https://www.wearestillin.com
NHS Sustainable Development Unit: https://www.sduhealth.org.uk