Can we save the planet by fighting obesity and pollution?

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Various pollutions are responsible for 9 million deaths worldwide per year, obesity – 5 million: in his book A kind of suicide (Christmas), Dr. Jean-David Zeitoun explains how some of the most serious diseases are caused by human activities. In the latest IPCC report, UN climate experts believe it is possible to achieve our goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving global health.

What if the fight for climate and the fight for better health are closely related? Why does human activity cause the most dangerous diseases? What is the activity that most destroys health and the environment? Can we regain life expectancy and a better quality of life by limiting global warming to 1.5°C?

Jean-David Zeitoun He is a doctor and epidemiologist. He published in 2022 Species suicide, how human activities cause more and more diseases (Christmas). He also wrote a history of human health, Great expansionPublished in 2021.

Here you can find an article about his latest book and column, published in May 2023 the world On the need for regulation of the food industry to deal with obesity.

An episode produced by Adele Ponticelli with the help of Esther Michon, directed by Amandine Robilard. Original Music: Amandine Robillard.

Announcement. If you want to attend a public episode of “Human Heat,” the next one will be on July 4, S.C. the world In Paris, you can also attend remotely. We will talk about adaptation to climate change, I wonder if France is ready to face the challenges ahead, with geographer Magali Regesa and Paris councilor Alexandre Florentin. Just click here to register.

Human Warmth is a weekly podcast that explores and debates ways to tackle the climate challenge. Listen to a new episode for free every Tuesday Lemonde.fr, Apple Podcast, Acast or Spotify. Find all episodes here.

You can email me to share your thoughts, ideas and criticism at I answer a question about the climate challenge every week in the Human Warmth newsletter.