Plant-Based Canada Podcast

Episode 72: Navigating the intersection of health, nutrition, and climate with Dr. Teela Johnson

Plant-Based Canada

Welcome to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast. In this episode we are joined by a Toronto-based hospitalist and emergency physician, Dr. Teela Johnson.  

Dr. Teela Johnson MSc, MD, CCFP-EM is a hospitalist and emergency room physician with a keen interest in the intersection of health, nutrition, and the climate-- and how they relate to equity issues.  Through her work as a member of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment Agri-Food Working Group and as a Board Director of the climate policy think tank Canadians for Responsible Food Policy, she brings to bear the extensive scientific evidence on how a transition to a plant-based food system can prevent and treat chronic disease, and simultaneously curtail the most detrimental greenhouse gas emissions that are propelling the climate crisis, while also giving voice and restoration to groups systematically oppressed across these intersecting realms. 

In this episode we discuss:

  • Dr. Johnson’s medical practice
  • Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment Agri-Food Working Group
  • Climate change impacts, targets,  and recommendations
  • Paris Agreement on Climate Change
  • Canadians for Responsible Food Policy
  • Impact of transitioning to a plant-based food system
  • Future research and actions
  • Advice to health professionals / the public


Episode Resources:

Canadians for Responsible Food Policy: https://responsiblefoodpolicy.ca/ 

Lancet Countdown: https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lancet-Countdown-Policy-Brief-Canada_ENG.pdf

Consultation on the future of competition policy in Canada: https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CompetitionActConsultation_CQDE_CAPE_EQT_ISED.pdf

Recommendations from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment for Amendments to Bill C-12, the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act: https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/CAPE-C-12-briefing-note-EN-final.pdf 

Paris Agreement on Climate Change: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement 


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Instagram: @plantbasedcanadaorg
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/plantbasedcanadaorg/
Website: https://www.plantbasedcanada.org/
X/Twitter: @PBC_org

Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant-Based Canada Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. 

This episode was hosted by Stephanie Nishi RD, PhD.



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