A Dose of Climate Reality: Dr. Vanessa Kerry on Global Health

Aug 28, 2023

Dr. Vanessa Kerry, Founder and CEO of Seed Global Health, discusses the intersection of climate change and health, the role of the healthcare sector in climate change response, valuing health over GDP, and her role at the World Health Organization. They also cover WHO's climate change policies and funding, and the need for systemic change to address climate change.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Climate Change's Impact on Health and the Need for Systemic Change

01:35 • 24min

The Impacts of Climate Change on Health, Economy, and Security

25:28 • 3min

The WHO's Role in Addressing Climate Change and Health

28:39 • 4min

Balancing Clean Energy and Development in Developing Countries

32:28 • 16min

The Intersection of Climate and Health: A Key Area of Resilience

48:02 • 2min

Dr. Vanessa Kerry is the co-founder and CEO of Seed Global Health, a nonprofit organization focused on health system strengthening and transformation through long-term investments and training of the health workforce. Under her leadership, Seed has helped educate more than 34,000 doctors, nurses, and midwives in seven countries, helping to improve healthcare for more than 73 million people.

Dr. Kerry was also recently appointed as WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health. She'll play a pivotal role in amplifying WHO's climate and health messaging and undertake high level advocacy.

The intersection of climate change and health is important, and a topic that doesn't get talked about enough. Dr. Kerry has such a unique perspective and there's no one better to learn from on this important topic.

In this episode, we cover:

[02:43]: Dr. Kerry's background in healthcare
[05:08]: Origins and overview of Seed Global Health
[06:20]: Climate change's impact on global health
[09:09]: The healthcare sector’s role in climate change response
[12:03]: Healthcare viewed as a cost, not an investment, despite potential ROI
[16:03]: Valuing health and wellbeing over GDP
[18:38]: The role of leadership, private sector, and individuals in the transition
[22:37]: Dr. Kerry's role at the World Health Organization (WHO)
[28:45]: WHO's climate change policies, strategies, and funding
[30:24]: Overview of the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH)
[32:04]: Funding sources for WHO and challenges of operating like a nonprofit
[33:39]: Balancing energy access in developing nations with sustainability
[35:34]: The private sector's role in shifting from shareholder to stakeholder value
[36:59]: Exploring greener alternatives and the need for a systemic shift
[37:41]: Balancing pragmatism and urgency in the transition
[41:31]: Finding common ground on climate change in a partisan society
[43:01]: How individuals can help change the conversation
[44:30]: The need for more time, funding, and team building at WHO
[45:38]: Seed Global Health's current priorities
[47:12]: Embracing the butterfly theory of impact
[48:51]: Jason's key takeaway from the conversation

Get connected:
Dr. Vanessa Kerry Twitter / LinkedIn
Jason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedIn
MCJ Podcast / Collective

*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on Aug 7, 2023 (Published on Aug 28, 2023)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant