Climate change is not just an environmental crisis; it is a health crisis

Science · Published 14 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: We often view climate change as a distant ecological problem, but Gina McCarthy argues it is actually the defining public health challenge of our era. By framing environmental degradation as a direct driver of human illness, she shifts the focus from saving the planet to saving ourselves.

Gina McCarthy, who served as the Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the first White House National Climate Advisor, frames climate change as an intersectional issue. She weaves racial justice, youth advocacy, and human rights into wider environmental debates. She argues that health is critically important and that climate has become a primary driving factor in global public health outcomes. At present, she heads C-CHANGE within the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her perspective emphasizes that leadership is essential for navigating these complex health challenges. She views environmental issues as inextricably linked to human well-being.

McCarthy's career is defined by pragmatic policy action across different political administrations. The first national rules for cutting carbon output from current power stations were created when she endorsed the Clean Power Plan in 2015. This move was instrumental in securing international commitments like the Paris Climate Agreement. She previously served as the head of the Climate Policy Office under President Biden. This role facilitated aggressive domestic action on climate change. These efforts resulted in new jobs and significant investments in clean energy innovation across the United States.

Her work at the EPA focused on cutting air pollution, protecting water resources, and strengthening chemical safety to shield vulnerable populations from negative health impacts. Her commitment to these issues stems from personal experience in Massachusetts during the 1950s and '60s. Growing up near textile factories, she witnessed firsthand how chemical dyes polluted local rivers. This early exposure to environmental degradation led her to a career in public service, where she eventually worked with international bodies like the UN and WHO to address high-risk pollution sources globally. Before her federal roles, she served five different Massachusetts administrations. She also held a position as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Her early career included serving as a public health agent for a small town where she learned about water quality and septic systems.

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