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drmelissalem.bsky.social
Melissa Lem
@drmelissalem.bsky.social
4.3K followers 950 following 250 posts
Family doctor | President, @cape-acme.bsky.social | #PaRx Co-Founder | Medical columnist, CBC News Vancouver | Clinical assistant prof, UBC Medicine | Salzburg Global Fellow | Opinions mine
www.parkprescriptions.ca
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drmelissalem.bsky.social
Melissa Lem @drmelissalem.bsky.social · Jul 1
"In the end, my motivation for fighting #climatechange comes down to one reason: my son, and this country, are the most beautiful things I have ever seen."
I wrote this piece for @thenarwhal.ca more than half a decade ago—and still believe every word.
Happy #CanadaDay.
thenarwhal.ca/mothers-are-...
Mothers are more powerful than they think when it comes to the environment | The Narwhal
A quick look back at the economic and political influence of moms across North America is an important reminder that this often overlook social group can be a significant force for change
thenarwhal.ca
drmelissalem.bsky.social
As a Co-Investigator on the #PANDA Trial, I approve this message. Australian friends and colleagues, take note! 👇
www.powerlab.site/research/pan...
#healthybynature
gidmk.bsky.social Health Nerd @gidmk.bsky.social · 1d
We're running a trial of exercise in nature here in Sydney. Free support for exercise and wellbeing for those who participate. If you know anyone who might be interested, please share our link: www.powerlab.site/research/pan...
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
jvipondmd.bsky.social
Hey Media! want to talk to a Canadian physician working hard to make change at COP30?
There are five of us!
Learn more about what we are doing there, and how to reach us, in the link below.
Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) Delegation at COP30 to protect people’s health and confront climate disinformation - CAPE
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) delegation of physicians and program team will be in Bélem from November 11 to 20. While the federal budget 2025 may have fallen short...
cape.ca
November 8, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
aqme.bsky.social
L’ACME / @cape-acme.bsky.social et l’AQME sont déçues du contenu du budget fédéral qui a été déposé aujourd’hui, avec des reculs et des imprécisions, et pas assez en faveur de la santé environnementale et donc humaine. Lisez notre analyse et les propos de la présidente, @drmelissalem.bsky.social.
Le budget d'Ottawa ne tient pas compte de la réalité du changement climatique et de la pollution toxique - la santé des citoyens en danger - CAPE
À l'heure où les effets des changements climatiques s'accélèrent, causant des ravages sur la santé, le système de soins de santé et les moyens de subsistance des Canadien.nes, le budget fédéral 2025 r...
cape.ca
November 5, 2025 at 2:07 AM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Hallowe'en has passed—but for many parents, the scary part is far from over. Great to join @danburritt.bsky.social to talk sugar + kids' health, including:
🧠 immediate mental + physical effects
🏥 long-term health impacts
🍭 which sweets are worse for health
+ more.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuCC...
Melissa speaking in studio with CBC Vancouver News at 6 host Dan Burritt about how to handle your kids' Halloween candy hangover
November 4, 2025 at 9:45 PM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Every time I meet with this crew I leave inspired.
Loved spending the afternoon learning + dialoguing with colleagues at @vanartgallery.bsky.social, @bcparksfoundation.ca's #PaRx, @unitedwaybc.bsky.social + more to advance nature, art and social prescribing across our region.
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Melissa at the Vancouver Art Gallery with Elder in Residence Buddy Joseph Melissa participating in a nature, art and social prescribing panel with Paula Toledo, Dr. Maryam Zeineddin and Prab Sandhu Melissa with Drs. Meaghan Thumath and Maryam Zeineddin in the Emily Carr Room at the Vancouver Art Gallery
November 4, 2025 at 6:30 AM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Reflecting on memories with colleagues up in the trees + mountaintops after heading to South Korea this week to keynote the 2nd World Forum on Forest Therapy, on the Art + Science of Nature Prescribing.
This field is at a global inflection point—and I'm so grateful to be part of it.
wfoft.org/main
Melissa delivering her keynote onstage at the 2nd World Forum on Forest Therapy, on the Art and Science of Nature Prescribing, in Cheongju, South Korea Sunset on grasses on the Mt. Halla Natural Reserve Trail on Jeju Island, South Korea Melissa and colleague Darija Cvikl rope climbing among the trees at Saenggeo Jincheon Healing Forest, South Korea Melissa with colleagues Darija Cvikl, Tamberly Conway, Alex Gesse, Allen Stenstrup, Professor Won Sop Shin and Paul Chia-Min Lin at Art Fore in South Korea
November 3, 2025 at 4:46 AM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Happy Hallowe'en from our pumpkin family to yours!
Though we're experiencing an atmospheric river here in @cityofvancouver.bsky.social, our spirits are far from damp. Stay safe out there everyone.
#happyhalloween
3 carved jack o'lanterns sitting on a railing in Vancouver
November 1, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
cape-acme.bsky.social
Children are getting better air quality monitoring and education through the legacy of Carter Vigh, a 9-year-old BC boy who died of an asthma attack during the 2023 wildfire season. Learn more:
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whatonearth/carter-project-bc-mother-teaching-kids-about-air-quality-9.6943130
This B.C. mother is honouring her son's life by teaching kids about air quality | CBC News
Carter Vigh, 9, died in 2023 after an asthma attack that was made worse by wildfire smoke. His mother. Amber, and the B.C. Lung Foundation collaborated through the Carter’s Project initiative to teach kids about the kids of poor air quality and how to protect themselves.
www.cbc.ca
October 21, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
cape-acme.bsky.social
"We need a better understanding that we need to be more careful at lower levels of air pollution," says Dr. Melissa Lem, CAPE President. “In Canada, because it's only recently that we've been exposed to more and more air pollution, we're not as aware of it."
October 21, 2025 at 5:37 PM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Honoured to join these incredible leaders from across Canada on behalf of @cape-acme.bsky.social in a unified call for Budget 2025 to fund a Youth Climate Corps—because young people deserve meaningful work that builds a #healthyfuture.
Learn more: www.goodgreenjobsforall.ca
climateunit.bsky.social Climate Emergency Unit @climateunit.bsky.social · 20d
Across Canada, more and more voices are calling for a Youth Climate Corps. With the federal budget set for November 4, the call is growing louder.

📢 Join the 200+ organizations urging Mark Carney’s government to fund a Youth Climate Corps in Budget 2025.

🔗 Learn more: www.goodgreenjobsforall.ca
October 21, 2025 at 7:56 PM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Is your protein powder contaminated with lead?
Good to cover @consumerreports.org's recent report today with @danburritt.bsky.social, including:
🧪 when (or if) to worry
☠️ symptoms of lead poisoning
💪 avoiding protein mania—most adults only need 0.8 g/kg/day
Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx3G...
Melissa speaking in studio with CBC Vancouver News at 6 host Dan Burritt about lead levels in protein powder and shakes flagged by Consumer Reports
October 21, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
forourkidscanada.bsky.social
Coming up on Thursday, Oct 23 - join us for Clean Air, Healthy Kids & Communities: The Case for Strong Methane Regulations.

Explore the impacts of methane on kids and communities - and the policy solutions we need in order to end emissions.

Registration is still open. RVSP now!
Clean Air, Healthy Kids & Communities: The Case for Strong Methane Regulations
www.forourkids.ca
October 20, 2025 at 7:03 PM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Loved spending the day with physician leaders from across Canada at @cmadocs.bsky.social's Canadian Conference on Physician Health today in Vancouver.
The future of medicine, and physician health, looks brighter because of you all!
More about the conference here: events.cma.ca/website/8372...
Melissa onstage at CCPH with Dr. Sarah Fraser, Dr. Joss Reimer, Dr. Katharine Smart, Dr. Kathleen Ross, Dr. Tamara Hinz, Dr. Shazma Mithani and Dr. Sarah Newbery Dr. Sukhmeet Singh Sachal, Dr. Shazma Mithani, Dr. Sarah Newbery and Dr. Joss Reimer talking misinformation onstage with Dr. Mike at CCPH Melissa smiling with CMA board chair Dr. André Bernard and CEO Alex Munter at CCPH
October 19, 2025 at 5:19 AM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Do you know accounting, finance or business administration, and want to join the board of @cape-acme.bsky.social, one of the most effective environment and health charities in Canada?
Apply to our treasurer posting: www.charityvillage.com/job/treasure...
#healthyfuture
@jvipondmd.bsky.social
Dr. Joe Vipond carrying a globe on his shoulder at COP28 in Dubai
October 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Home after a heart- and mind-filling few days in Ontario celebrating this year's @clean50.bsky.social winners and visiting family, friends and colleagues who feel like family over Thanksgiving weekend.
Learn more about the 2026 Clean50 honourees here:
clean50.com/honourees/
#healthyfuture
With Laurel Collins, former Canadian MP and current Executive Director of the Raffi Foundation, at the Evergreen Brick Works Onstage at the Evergreen Brick Works with the Clean50 Advocates category winners With CAPE co-Executive Directors Sabrina Bowman and Anjali Helferty in Dufferin Grove Park in Toronto
October 17, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
jvipondmd.bsky.social
Are you a health care worker who cares about the polycrisis of environmental degredation and climate?
Check out this amazing conference (that I happen to be speaking at).
with @drmelissalem.bsky.social @sethdklein.bsky.social @avilewis.ca and more!
October 25th. virtual.
ubccpd.ca/learn/learni...
October 16, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
cape-acme.bsky.social
🎉CAPE President Dr. Melissa Lem has been given Canada's Clean50 Award for 2026, which recognizes top contributors to the clean economy in Canada over the past 2 years. 🎉
October 15, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
cape-acme.bsky.social
On October 6, health professionals across the country mobilized for the 1st-ever National Day of Action for Planetary Health. Because our health depends on a healthy planet. 🌎

@cmadocs.bsky.social @royalcollege.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
avilewis.ca
Any chance to talk climate with the great @drmelissalem.bsky.social is a gift.

Planetary health and personal health are bound together in the fabric of life on earth.

Oh yeah, and my brother @sethdklein.bsky.social will be there too!

Looking forward to this...
drmelissalem.bsky.social Melissa Lem @drmelissalem.bsky.social · Oct 11
Cannot wait to moderate the opening keynote of UBC CPD + @cape-acme.bsky.social's Climate Emergency Conference with @sethdklein.bsky.social + @avilewis.ca on Oct 25.
It's going to be a barn burner, everyone—don't miss it!
Join us for the watch party in Vancouver, or online: ubccpd.ca/learn/learni...
Screenshot of UBC CPD's "Planetary Health Emergency: The Health Benefits of Climate Action" conference webpage Head shot of Seth Klein Head shot of Avi Lewis
October 11, 2025 at 11:39 PM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Cannot wait to moderate the opening keynote of UBC CPD + @cape-acme.bsky.social's Climate Emergency Conference with @sethdklein.bsky.social + @avilewis.ca on Oct 25.
It's going to be a barn burner, everyone—don't miss it!
Join us for the watch party in Vancouver, or online: ubccpd.ca/learn/learni...
Screenshot of UBC CPD's "Planetary Health Emergency: The Health Benefits of Climate Action" conference webpage Head shot of Seth Klein Head shot of Avi Lewis
October 11, 2025 at 9:52 PM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Honoured to share—exactly 6 years after I took the stage in Toronto to speak at NCC's Nature Talks—that I'm joining the BC Regional Advisory Board of @ncccnc.bsky.social, Canada's largest nature conservation charity.
Grateful for this full-circle moment.
natureconservancy.ca/who-we-are/o...
Melissa on a sunlit hike in the mountains Melissa speaking onstage at the Nature Conservancy of Canada's Nature Talks event in Toronto in 2019 Bob McDonald speaking onstage at the Nature Conservancy of Canada's Nature Talks event in Toronto in 2019
October 10, 2025 at 2:44 AM
drmelissalem.bsky.social
Incredibly inspired after witnessing the beautiful, hopeful and resolute energy from health professionals across the country marking Canada's inaugural National Day of Action on Planetary Health yesterday.
@cape-acme.bsky.social @royalcollege.bsky.social @cmadocs.bsky.social
#planetaryhealthday
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Melissa, Providence Health Care CEO Fiona Dalton and PHC Planetary Health Lead RN Raluca Radu planting an Eastern Redbud tree with golden shovels at Holy Family Hospital in Vancouver, BC in honour of Planetary Health Day Dr. David Suzuki providing opening remarks at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada's and CAPE's "National Day of Action on Planetary Health: Education, Practice and Systems Change" webinar Melissa, RN Raluca Radu, Dr. Maura Brown and Emilie Wang of UBC EnviroMed speaking at an evening sustainability sign-making and speaker dinner event at the UBC Medical Student & Alumni Centre in Vancouver, BC
October 8, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
nourishlead.bsky.social
Thanks to everyone who joined in for the inaugural National Day of Action on Planetary Health! Keep sharing those plant-forward meals - making a significant impact on global emissions and our health starts with the food on our plates. 🍽️

nourishleadership.ca/programs/pla...

#PlanetaryHealthDay
October 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
nourishlead.bsky.social
Today, October 6, is #PlanetaryHealthDay! Do you have a plant-forward planetary health-supporting meal, recipe, or food photo to share? Tag us #NourishLeadership and #PlanetaryHealthDay! 🌎 🍽️

Join tonight's webinar 👉 lnkd.in/gsvdkCuT
Learn more 👉 planetaryhealthday.ca
Join David Suzuki and planetary health leaders tonight to discuss practical actions and systems-level solutions to the environmental health crisis on this National Day of Action on Planetary Health. Webinar link in post.
October 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Reposted by Melissa Lem
gensqueeze.bsky.social
Today is Canada’s first National Day of Action on Planetary Health. The climate crisis and pollution are harming our health and threatening our healthcare systems. We have the power and responsibility to act. #cdnpoli planetaryhealthday.ca @cape-acme.bsky.social @royalcollege.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 12:46 PM