Get to know the innovators and leaders working on climate solutions and climate justice during this live interview series. Each event includes a Q&A period with the audience. Come deepen your understanding of how we can solve the climate crisis, and hear some inspiring personal stories along the way.
On Tuesday, April 20, we’re speaking with Dr. Melissa Lem, a family physician, Director of PaRx, and President-Elect of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Join us as we discuss the nature-health connection in the context of the climate crisis and a just, green recovery to COVID-19.
About Our Guest
Dr. Melissa Lem is a Vancouver family physician who also works in rural and northern communities within Canada. Director of PaRx—Canada's first national nature prescription program, powered by the BC Parks Foundation—and President-Elect of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, she has been researching, writing and speaking about the nature-health connection for over a decade. She has also been involved in advocacy and policy work on a broad range of issues including climate change, wildfires, fracking and LNG, toxics and sustainable health care. A widely published writer, she was the resident medical expert on CBC TV's hit lifestyle show Steven and Chris for four seasons and continues to appear on air as a regular contributor to CTV News. Dr. Lem was the inaugural winner of University College's Young Alumni of Influence Award at the University of Toronto, is a 2020 Joule Innovation grant recipient from the Canadian Medical Association, and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia.
About the Moderator
Shea Sinnott is a Senior Programs Manager at the Centre for Social Innovation, where she manages Climate Ventures and Earth Tech – an accelerator for climate and water solutions. Shea has worked for a decade as an organizer and facilitator with a range of organizations fighting for social and environmental justice – including Code for Canada, the David Suzuki Foundation, Organize BC, and OpenMedia. She holds a Master’s in Adult Education & Community Development from the University of Toronto.
Connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter.