The climate crisis has become a health crisis. What can we do about it? | Ft. Dr Soumya Swaminathan

Episode 8, Season 4

Host: Rathish Balakrishnan, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Sattva Consulting

Guest: Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Paediatrician & Global HIV/TB Expert, Former Chief Scientist at WHO, Former Director General of ICMR, Chair, MSSRF

Rising cases of dengue. Surging respiratory conditions. Harsher working environments. The climate crisis has become a public health crisis. The question remains: what can be done?

Rathish Balakrishnan is joined by the veteran Dr Soumya Swaminathan, who has served as the Former Chief Scientist at the WHO, to discuss the varying intersections of climate change and health.

Together, they explore

- The multiple ways in which climate change impacts health, from animal-human conflicts to climate anxiety

- How to build climate-resilient health systems

- The role of governments at all levels in shaping policy, leading research, and prioritising climate-informed health practices

- What solutions could look like, spanning from farmer-friendly apps to municipal-level climate action plans

The climate challenge looms large, but the drive to adapt, safeguard, and thrive does too.

Tune in for an engaging conversation with one of the most accomplished doctors of our time.