The Power of States: Environmental Health Policy and Action

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty talks with environmental health lawyer, professor, and author Susan Kaplan about how states are leading the way on environmental health policy. Drawing from her book, A Healthy Union: How States Can Lead on Environmental Health, Kaplan explains how state-level innovation has produced effective, evidence-based policies that protect public health while reducing costs.

🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why federal environmental protections have eroded — and what states are doing instead

• How states act as “laboratories of innovation” for environmental health

• The growing role of local governments, school boards, and city councils

• How everyday environmental choices affect public health

• Why collective community action can drive lasting change

Kaplan highlights successful policies from states like Massachusetts, New York, and Texas, along with regional collaborations that prove environmental protection and economic efficiency can go hand in hand.

🌱 This conversation is a hopeful reminder that progress is possible — and often starts close to home.

📘 Learn more about Susan Kaplan’s work and her book A Healthy Union

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Amazon book Link: https://amzn.to/4acwEsy

NOTE: Susan Kaplan is offering listeners ands viewers of this podcast a 20% discount on the price of her book. To obtain that discount visit www.islandpress.org and use the code word: UNION.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to the Lean to the Left Podcast

00:20 Meet Susan Kaplan: Environmental Health Expert

01:34 The History of Environmental Protection in the US

03:46 State-Level Environmental Health Policies

05:16 Challenges and Solutions in Environmental Protection

08:17 Local Government's Role in Environmental Health

09:31 Practical Tips for Individuals

11:43 Encouraging Local Government Action

15:03 Best Practices and Case Studies

17:03 Susan Kaplan's Career Journey

19:12 Current Issues and Final Thoughts

20:40 Where to Find Susan's Book

22:12 Conclusion and Optimism for the Future