Climate health, our health
We need our planet more than it needs us. Human health and climate health are intimately intertwined.
We, individually and collectively, have a relationship with the planet we live on. Like the human body, the planet Earth is a complicated balance of elements that work in harmony to provide stability long into the future. When that balance is disrupted by unnatural events, such as human activity, our future is less certain.
When we consider human health, we must consider how the health of our climate health shapes it—whether it is the impact the climate has on the social determinants of health, the depletion of essential resources like water caused by a changing climate, how we can harness art to connect ourselves to our environment, or how united communities may have profound impacts.
Our speakers have a unique understanding of our connection to climate and its impact on our health. They ask us to consider how we may act as communities on a road toward a healthier world, both for our climate and ourselves.
What it takes to create social change against all odds
Ralph Nader
It is impossible to think about environmental advocacy today without remembering what brought us here. For decades, Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader has been identifying corporate misdeeds, galvanizing public action, and guiding regulatory action to build a safer and healthier world. From taking on the automobile industry by vying for improved safety features for passengers – like mandatory seat belts – to tobacco regulations, The Clean Air Act, and more, Ralph’s efforts have fundamentally shaped legislature over the past decades. He firmly believes that each of us can be advocates for a cleaner environment and a consumer focused economy because lawmakers and representatives will always need votes more than they need corporate dollars. He inspires us to break through power structures and embrace democracy to take citizen action towards a safer world.
Through years of organizing, advocacy, and activism, Ralph shares that citizens truly can move legislation forward. Watch Ralph’s TEDMED 2020 Talk “What it takes to create social change against all odds” to learn how each of us can be a champion for consumer rights and a clean, safe future.
More About This TalkAbout Ralph Nader
About Ralph
Ralph Nader is a well-known attorney, author, and political activist who has fought for consumer and citizen rights throughout his career. His work has significantly influenced government and corporate responsibility, inspiring a new generation of advocates. His efforts have led to major improvements in public safety, including safer cars, healthier food, cleaner air, and safer workplaces. In 2006, The Atlantic magazine recognized him as one of the 100 most influential figures in American history. He was also famously called the “U.S.’s toughest customer” by TIME magazine. Ralph has founded or helped create numerous organizations dedicated to public interest and consumer protection. These include prominent groups like Public Citizen, the Center for Auto Safety, and the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). His work led to the creation of the American Museum of Tort Law in Winsted, Connecticut, the first museum in the U.S. dedicated to the law of torts, which deals with civil wrongs and injuries. His career is a testament to the power of citizen activism to bring about lasting change.
