Climate change, public health inextricably linked says renowned environmental authority Gina McCarthy
The University of Michigan School of Public Health hosted a vital conversation between Gina McCarthy, the first White House National Climate advisor and former US EPA Administrator, and Dean F. DuBois Bowman.
McCarthy is one of the nation’s most respected voices on climate change. As head of the Climate Policy Office under President Biden, McCarthy’s leadership led to the most aggressive action on climate in US history, creating new jobs and unprecedented clean energy innovation and investments across the country.
As part of the biannual “Ahead of the Curve” speaker series held virtually Jan. 16, she reflected on the impact of investing in a sustainable future. The series, which aims to delve into enlightening conversations with leaders in the field of public health, was launched in 2020.
“We're focusing on contemporary leaders to learn about their insights, vision and stories of perseverance,” Bowman said. “Leadership is a critical component of navigating complex health challenges and building a better future.”
Through her various roles, McCarthy has consistently framed climate change as an intersectional issue—integrating human rights, youth advocacy and racial justice—into the broader climate discourse.
“Health is so critically important, and climate became apparent as a driving factor in health.”
— Gina McCarthy
Perhaps, most important, she underscored that climate change is a public health issue.
“Health is so critically important,” she said, “and climate became apparent as a driving factor in health.”
McCarthy’s journey into public health and environmental work was far from linear.
Reflecting on her early life, she said, “I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up.”
Raised in the 1950s and ’60s in Massachusetts, she witnessed firsthand the environmental degradation of air and water systems. Textile factories near her home polluted the rivers with chemical dyes, leaving a vivid impression on her young mind.
“I grew up fighting and engaging with issues locally,” McCarthy said.
These early experiences fueled her lifelong commitment to environmental reform.
After graduating from the University of Massachusetts at Boston with a bachelor’s degree in Social Anthropology, her career took a significant turn when she became the public health agent of a small town in her home state.
The job came without any preliminary experience, forcing her to learn about septic systems and water quality on the fly. She then earned a joint Master of Science in Environmental Health Engineering, Planning and Policy from Tufts University.
“The connection was health,” she said. “It was all about public health, and it kept me going.”
Her passion for public service has always been unwavering.
“To me, public service is it,” McCarthy said as she acknowledged she finds joy in serving the public good.
During her tenure as the EPA administrator and later as the White House Climate advisor, McCarthy witnessed the detrimental effects of environmental neglect.
“When I went to Texas, I was shocked at how close people’s homes were to oil and gas industries,” she said, noting the devastating health impacts on low-income communities living in such proximity.
Experiences like these have reinforced her belief in environmental justice, which must address the interconnectedness of poverty, race and health.
As the conversation turned towards the divided landscape of American politics, McCarthy shared her experience working under both Republican and Democratic administrations. Her ability to collaborate across party lines has been instrumental in advancing environmental policy.
“I worked with six governors—five of them Republicans—and I’m a staunch Democrat,” she said.
Effective communication and relationship-building have been key strategies in her playbook.
“I’d establish personal relationships with Republican colleagues, even when they didn't agree with me,” said McCarthy, reinforcing her belief in dialogue over discord.
“I think the important thing from a public health perspective is that you have to do your job on the basis of science. But you also have to translate that science in human terms. The reason why I think I’ve been successful in getting some difficult things done is I’ve always focused on what it means for human beings and on the natural resources that we rely on.”
— Gina McCarthy
Today’s scientific landscape presents new challenges, particularly around the proliferation of misinformation. McCarthy sees the role of science in policy as fundamental, yet acknowledges the difficulties when facts clash with belief systems.
“I think the important thing from a public health perspective is that you have to do your job on the basis of science,” she said. “But you also have to translate that science in human terms. The reason why I think I’ve been successful in getting some difficult things done is I’ve always focused on what it means for human beings and on the natural resources that we rely on.
“You have to put it in clear terms—you won't win everybody. There are people that will still disagree or think you’ve done the work wrong or intentionally wrong at times, but you have to do it. Nothing is easy when it comes to something that's really good to do.”
“Leadership is a critical component of navigating complex health challenges and building a better future.”
— Dean F. DuBois Bowman
Looking forward, McCarthy is focused on bridging gaps across sectors—government, academia, and private industry—to advance climate action and environmental justice.
She is particularly excited about her role with the coalition America is All In, a broad assembly of leaders committed to driving climate solutions at state and local levels. Collaboration across sectors, she believes, is crucial for meaningful change.
McCarthy's message to future public health leaders is crystal clear: remain open-minded, embrace diverse opportunities and never stop learning.
“Don't define your path too clearly,” she said to students. “Allow room for excitement and growth in your career.”