Collaborative on Health and the Environment :: Crash Landing: Environmental and Health Costs (and Benefits?) of the Economic Recession: A Conversation with Lester Brown

How will the global recession affect health and the environment?

The global recession has drastically reduced the use of oil, lowering emissions that contribute to climate change. Less manufacturing will reduce production of some chemical contaminants. Reduced oil and commodity costs should reduce the cost of food. But millions of people are out of work, and socioeconomic status (SES) is a powerful predictor of health outcomes. And the opportunities to reform the financial system in ways that reduce inequality, enhance health and sustain the environment are unlikely to be pursued.

Many CHE Partners and friends joined us with eminent environmentalist Lester Brown to discuss these questions. Brown is the founder of the Worldwatch Institute, founder and president of the Earth Policy Institute, and author of many books, including Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization.

This special CHE Partner Conversation was held on Thursday, Jan 8, at 11:00 AM Pacific/ 2:00 PM Eastern. The call was moderated by Michael Lerner, President of Commonweal. The call lasted one hour and was recorded for archival purposes.

Crash Landing: Environmental and Health Costs (and Benefits?) of the Economic Recession: A Conversation with Lester Brown

Jan 8, 2009