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What does “do no harm” mean in the face of climate change?  That’s what we asked dozens of attendees during our 2nd Annual Climate and Health Conference in Grand Rapids last Saturday. The question inspired fruitful discussions about the line health professionals have to walk when we evaluate short-term, immediate health risks and consider the existential dread climate change presents, where we have no easy cures. The Hippocratic oath is a simple principle behind medicine, but

"I am here today because the decisions made in Michigan—by our legislators—can either protect or endanger the well-being of families across our state. When we talk about health, too often the conversation stops at hospitals, clinics, and prescriptions," Dr. Harris said.

As published in Planet Detroit on Aug. 19, 2025. By Alex Rabin and Lisa Del Buono Tailpipe emissions. Photo courtesy of creative commons When EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the rollback of the endangerment finding July 29 at a truck plant in Indianapolis, the heat index hit 105 degrees. The endangerment finding is a foundational ruling established in 2009 that recognizes greenhouse gases as a threat to public health. Zeldin claimed it’s not carbon dioxide that threat

“How can a healthy body be resilient in an unhealthy environment?” said Mary-Jacqueline Muli, the Climate Justice Nurse and a MiCCA board member, in one of several references to the public health threats of mold in flooded homes.

Unfortunately, Rep. Bergman failed to mention the primary driver of these increasingly destructive wildfires: human-induced climate change. Fueled by our warming climate, vast Canadian forests have turned into tinderboxes, ready to ignite. 

Rolling back the EPA’s ability to regulate planet-warming air pollutants at a time when extreme heat and humidity coupled with wildfire smoke has become a common summer-day occurrence in Michigan is unconscionable.