Melissa Lem

Today is Canada’s first National Day of Action on Planetary Health. The climate crisis and pollution are harming our health and threatening our healthcare systems. We have the power and responsibility to act. #cdnpoli planetaryhealthday.ca @cape-acme.bsky.social @royalcollege.bsky.social

Re-upping my conversation with @drmelissalem.bsky.social in advance of 🇨🇦‘s National Day of Action on Planetary Health, 6 October: planetaryhealthday.ca

#planetaryhealthday @cape-acme.bsky.social

Melissa having a drink with speakers and organizers after the Climate Talks event

Dr. Jiaying Zhao speaking about climate action that decreases emissions and increases happiness at Climate Talks

The Climate Talks event poster, with sponsors including the German Consulate General Vancouver, Consulate General of France in Vancouver, Senckenberg Nature Research, Leibniz Association and UBC Botanical Garden

What a joy to speak this week at the sold-out Climate Talks event at UBC Botanical Garden, led by the German Consulate General Vancouver.
Exactly the kind of interdisciplinary work we need to catalyze real action on planetary health.
botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/news-events/...
@cape-acme.bsky.social

Planetary health is public health - Healthy Debate Ignoring planetary health would be a gross dereliction of duty by the public health profession.

At @cape-acme.bsky.social we're sometimes asked, Why don't doctors stay in their lane?

The answer: health is about more than health care.

Planetary health is public health, which is why the first National Day of Action on Planetary Health is happening Oct. 6.

healthydebate.ca/2025/10/topi...

THIS 👇. Friends, please take this action today and help us get a national Youth Climate Corps over the line...

Healthcare professionals holding signs calling for action on planetary health walking towards the BC Legislature

📢 Calling all health professionals: Only one more day to sign on to the National Day of Action on Planetary Health's open letter to the federal government, here: planetaryhealthday.ca
Join @cape-acme.bsky.social + major health organizations in supporting action on planetary health on October 6!

On Oct 6, join David Suzuki & planetary health leaders on practical steps + big solutions to the environment crisis: https://loom.ly/9paSmn8
#planetaryhealthday

@royalcollege.bsky.social @drmelissalem.bsky.social

Les Drs Matthieu Touchette et Stephan Williams parleront de la durabilité en santé et de gestes à poser pour la planète et les patient·es lors du webinaire du 6 octobre animé par David Suzuki : ow.ly/pesZ50WXvcA @drmelissalem.bsky.social @courtghoward.bsky.social @cape-acme.bsky.social

October 6 is the the first ever National Day of Action on Planetary Health. Learn how to implement practical solutions to address climate change in health care in webinar hosted by David Suzuki: ow.ly/pesZ50WXvcA
@cape-acme.bsky.social @drmelissalem.bsky.social @courtghoward.bsky.social

Le 6 octobre, Journée d’action nationale pour la santé planétaire, découvrez des solutions pratiques en santé pour faire face aux changements climatiques lors d’un webinaire animé par David Suzuki : ow.ly/pesZ50WXvcA
@cape-acme.bsky.social @drmelissalem.bsky.social @courtghoward.bsky.social

Melissa in Piazza delle Erbe with Dr. Terry Hartig and Dr. Georgie Sowman

Giotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—in Padua, Italy

Gondoliers navigating the historic canals of Venice, Italy

Dr. Mat White, Principal Investigator of RESONATE, with Dr. Julia Egger, postdoc project leader, describing its impact for collaborators in Padua, Italy

Still reflecting on a million and one pinch-me moments from @resonatenbt.bsky.social's annual meeting in Padua, Italy.
Honoured to be an International Expert Advisor for this ground-breaking project, and excited to generate new research + impact as we move into the next 2 years.
resonate-horizon.eu

Learn how to implement practical solutions to address #climatechange in health care.

Register for the Oct. 6 webinar hosted by David Suzuki and other health care leaders: ow.ly/pesZ50WXvcA @cape-acme.bsky.social @drmelissalem.bsky.social @courtghoward.bsky.social #MedEd #MedEdSky

Honoured to sign this open letter on behalf of @cape-acme.bsky.social. Join us on September 20!
drawtheline.world/canada
#healthyfuture

$10B LNG project in northwest B.C. gets environmental certificate despite opposition | CBC News The Ksi Lisims LNG terminal project, about 80 kilometres north of Prince Rupert, B.C., has received a provincial environmental assessment certificat — a critical step for the megaproject despite conce...

This Ksi Lisims LNG approval is terrible news.

"It's hard to believe that we're moving ahead in B.C. with climate-destroying LNG projects in the midst of a climate crisis," said Tara Marsden, sustainability director for the Gitanyow hereditary chiefs.

Yup.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Northwest B.C. rural health providers, Indigenous leaders call for moratorium on LNG Group links LNG development to climate change and human health impacts

Full article here: www.interior-news.com/local-news/n...

Melissa with MaryLou McKay, Nisga'a elder and Community Health Representative at the Nisga'a Valley Health Authority, in front of an ornate carving at the Nisga'a Museum in Laxgalts'ap

Front page of The Interior News featuring the article "Northwest health providers, Indigenous leaders call for moratorium on LNG development"

Naxnok at the Nisga'a Museum

Returning to Terrace—where I cut my teeth running the Mills Memorial ER as a resident—to speak @pnwdivision.bsky.social's annual CPD + networking meeting this weekend felt like a homecoming.
Also great to see @cape-acme.bsky.social's advocacy on the front page of the local newspaper.
'Til next time!

Careers - CAPE Campaign Manager, Health and Economic Policy Program Volunteer Opportunities Indigenous Caucus  

Join us at CAPE! 🌱 Our Health and Economic Policy Program is hiring a Campaign Manager with experience in communications and on-the-ground campaigning. Interested in climate disinformation, commercial determinants of health, and environmental justice? Apply by Sept. 14!

https://loom.ly/bj7QrpE

Melissa speaking in studio with CBC Vancouver News at 6 anchor Dan Burritt about a new study suggesting artificial sweeteners could age the human brain faster

Are artificial sweeteners less than sweet for your brain?
Good to join @danburritt.bsky.social to discuss a new study showing 62% faster cognitive 🔻 in those eating the most, including:
🧠 how worried to be
🚧 why middle-agers may be most at risk
🍭 sugar vs. substitutes
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSUg...

Chief Na’Moks, Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief, at a press conference in Vancouver talking about the health harms and threats to First Nations' sovereignty posed by the LNG and fracking industry in BC.

Dr. Melissa Lem, Vancouver family physician and president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, at a press conference about the health harms of BC LNG today in Vancouver.

Agnes Black, Vancouver Registered Nurse, and member of the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment; Naxginkw (Tara Marsden), Wilp Sustainability Director for Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs; and Dr. Ulrike Meyer, Dawson Creek family physician, and volunteer with the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, at a press conference today in Vancouver, sounding the alarm about the health harms of LNG and fracking.

Drew Harris and Grace Vickers, Members of the Gitxsan youth leaders of the Gitxsan Lax’yip Firekeepers, and Dr. Bethany Ricker, Nanaimo family physician and co-chair of the BC Committee of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, at a press conference in Vancouver today, sounding the alarm about the health harms of LNG and fracking.

Physicians, nurses, and First Nations leaders challenged BC and federal governments to prove LNG is safe for health before approving more projects, during press conferences today in Vancouver and Smithers.

Médecins, infirmières et leaders autochtones mettent au défi les gouvernements de la C.-B. et du Canada de pouvoir prouver que l’industrie du GNL est sans danger - CAPE Des médecins, infirmiers et infirmières et des leaders autochtones somment les gouvernements provincial de la Colombie-Britannique et fédéral de reconnaître les effets néfastes de l’industrie du gaz n...

15 médecins (dont la présidente de l'ACME), infirmières et chefs des Premières Nations de renom, ont mis au défi les gouv. de la C-Britannique, du Canada et l'industrie de prouver que l'industrie du GNL est sûre pour la santé. @cape-acme.bsky.social @cape-bc.bsky.social @drmelissalem.bsky.social

Poster for event "Protect Health From LNG: Indigenous and Health Leaders on the Front Lines" with speakers Grand Chief Stewart Phillip (President, UBCIC), Dr. Ulrike Meyer (Family physician, Dawson Creek, BC), Drew Harris and Grace Vickers (Lax'yip Firekeepers), Jesse Stoeppler (Co-Executive Director, Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition), Dene Ze' Na'Moke (Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs) and Melissa as moderator

Honoured to be moderating this essential conversation on the rights, health + environmental implications of LNG and fracking in BC tomorrow, September 8 at the UBC Medical Student & Alumni Centre, with Indigenous and health leaders from across the province.
Join us: act.cape.ca/protect_heal...

Photo collage of Melissa standing outside the Vancouver Convention Centre with a banner reading "Welcome to Everything Electric" above, Melissa's son with an electrified 1965 Ford Falcon, riding an electric snowmobile, and Melissa onstage speaking in the "Heat Pumps Demystified!" panel

Great to be onstage again @everythingelectric.bsky.social today talking about the health benefits of all-electric homes.
My kid loved checking out all the nifty clean-energy-powered vehicles and tech.
One more day to catch the festival in @cityofvancouver.bsky.social!
ca.everythingelectric.show

Beyond excited to announce the first-ever National Day of Action on Planetary Health, on October 6—led by @cape-acme.bsky.social + supported by healthcare leaders and organizations across the country!
Learn more: planetaryhealthday.ca
@raffic.bsky.social @naomiaklein.bsky.social
#planetaryhealthday

Thanks for sharing, @michaelschwandt.bsky.social!

bcmj.org/council-heal...

"Eco-distress—distress from changes to the environment—is a normal reaction to threatened and actual loss of individuals, communities, and ecosystems. Clinicians should validate patients’ concerns..."

@drmelissalem.bsky.social @cape-bc.bsky.social
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Screenshot of BCMJ article "Climate change and mental health: A critical intersection" by Drs. Emilie Wang, Ilona Hale, Melissa Lem and Rachel Grimminck

Pleased to co-author this BC Medical Journal (BCMJ) piece on how climate-related threats, fossil-fuel air pollution, and biodiversity loss are driving adverse mental health impacts—and how health professionals can help.
Read: bcmj.org/council-heal...
@cape-acme.bsky.social

Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., preparing to welcome Whatı̀ wildfire evacuees, chief says | CBC News The community of Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., is setting up around 200 cots for evacuees from Whatı̀ after officials ordered Whatı̀ residents to evacuate their community due to a nearby wildfire.

I was working in Whatı̀ exactly a year ago—and of all the places my son has travelled with me, Whatı̀ is his favourite place in the whole world.
Holding the community in our thoughts.
#climateemergency
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Melissa, wearing scrubs and a stethoscope, and Dr. David Suzuki standing together in the forest

@cape-acme.bsky.social and friends have been up to something good this summer—and it's dropping next week. Follow us and find out.
@cmadocs.bsky.social @royalcollege.bsky.social @cpdesrosiers.bsky.social @courtghoward.bsky.social @jossreimer.bsky.social @alikamd.bsky.social @raffic.bsky.social

Oil and gas companies are pocketing most of BC's 'clean' industry funding The lion's share of CleanBC's Industry Funds last year went to fossil fuel projects, raising alarms about greenwashing and missed targets.

And @rochellebaker1.bsky.social at @nationalobserver.com:
"Wealthy fossil fuel billionaires do not need money back from the BC government to subsidize an industry that's bad for our health.
It's like taxing tobacco producers and giving them the money back to put filters on their cigarettes."
/5.

© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.

CBC Radio's Early Edition:
"Every time we hear about a new approval of a pipeline, a new approval of an LNG facility, and more buildings being hooked up to gas, we have to connect the dots — and connect that to climate change."
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