The doctrine of "first, do no harm" is the basis of the Hippocratic Oath, one of the world's oldest codes of ethics. It governs the work of physicians -- but climate and health campaigner Shweta Narayan says it should go further. In this essential talk, she highlights the interdependence of environmental and human health and emphasizes the necessity of placing health at the heart of all climate solutions.

It's impossible to have healthy people on a sick planet

Placing health at the center of climate action is essential, as the climate crisis threatens every aspect of human well-being. Air pollution alone causes seven million premature deaths each year, far exceeding recent pandemic tolls. Bold solutions must be guided by the ancient principle of 'do no harm,' extending beyond medicine to shape decisions in business and policy. True progress means measuring our civilization’s success by the health of both people and the planet.

Do No Harm Applies to the Planet, Not Just Patients

Countdown: A global initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis

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TED Stage Talk

Shweta Narayan: It's impossible to have healthy people on a sick planet