Child health and climate change episode 2: Canada

Floods, heatwaves and wildfires have become increasingly common across Canada. And as retired paediatrician Dr Julian Pleydell-Pearce explains in this episode of our climate change podcast series, this makes a profound impact on the lives of children and young people - and the way health services are delivered.
RCPCH Podcasts | Photo of Julian Pleydell-Pearce

Listen to the episode below, on Apple PodcastsSpotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts, or find on our podcast website. You can download the full transcript at the bottom of this page.


In episode two of this three-part series, Dr Bernadette O’Hare speaks with guest Julian, who worked as a paediatrician in Canada before his recent retirement. Julian shares his firsthand experiences of how shifting weather patterns has had a drastic impact on the lives of children and young people in Canada. 

Julian explains how heatwaves are causing widespread damage, leading to devastating wildfires that have displaced communities, destroyed vast areas of forest and severely degraded air quality. Beyond the physical dangers, Julian shares the personal challenges he faces in a region increasingly affected by climate change.

The discussion builds on insights gathered from a survey of RCPCH members with international experience who shared their observations on how climate change is affecting child health around the world.

We hope this podcast series deepens your understanding of the serious impacts climate change has on children's health. There's an urgent need for action, so tune in to hear about how we can all contribute to creating a safer, healthier future for children everywhere.

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