Stanford Engineering
02 May 2025
Lisa Patel is a pediatrician and an expert in environmental health who says that pollution is taking an increasing toll on children’s health. Pollution from wildfires, fossil fuels, and plastics can cause asthma, pneumonia, and risks dementia in the long-term. But, she says, all hope is not lost. Solutions range from DIY air filters to choosing induction stoves over gas, cutting down on meat consumption and plastics use, and pursuing clean energy, among other strategies. If we all take local action, we can solve this problem globally, Patel tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu. Episode Reference Links: Stanford Profile: Lisa PatelConnect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces guest Lisa Patel, a professor of pediatrics at Stanford University. (00:03:39) Climate Advocacy Journey The personal events that drove Lisa’s focus to environmental health. (00:04:53) Fossil Fuels and Clean Air Act How fossil fuels and weakened regulations harm public health. (00:07:20 Long-Term Health Impacts Links between pollution to asthma, cancer, and early Alzheimer’s. (00:10:12) Air Quality Guidance for Families Advising parents on air quality monitoring and precautions. (00:13:04) Indoor Cooking and Gas Pollution How pollution from gas stoves impacts indoor air quality. (00:14:37) Lead in Water and Health Risks Current issues with lead exposure in water for children. (00:16:24) Microplastics and Early Health Damage Evidence showing widespread microplastics are harmful to health. (00:19:12) Clean Energy Progress and Setbacks Benefits of renewable energy and dangers of policy rollback. (00:21:22) Active Transport and Better Air The environmental impact of increasing public transit. (00:22:44) Benefits of Electric Vehicles How electric vehicles are linked to cleaner air and healthier kids. (00:23:51) Plant-Forward Diets for Health Whether plant-forward diets aid personal and planetary health. (00:25:33) Kids Leading Dietary Changes Children’s reactions and adaptations to plant-forward diets. (00:28:12) Taking Local Action The local actions that can offer real solutions for change. (00:31:01) Conclusion Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
0:00 / 0:00