Speaker
David Jenkins MD, D.Sc, PhD
University Professor,
Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Medicine,
Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
David Jenkins is a physician and nutritional scientist who has created the concept of the glycemic index and has devoted his life to investigating the science behind therapeutic diets for diabetes and cardiovascular disease treatment and prevention. He has made influential discoveries related to fibre and other food components and influenced public health and clinical guidelines for the treatment of disease.He believes in the value of plant based diets, and that a major effort is required to mount large studies to determine the extent of their health benefits. He also believes that diets have to be environmentally sustainable.
Abstract
The environmentally destructive force of the Anthropocene poses an existential threat to life on this planet. This issue has been extensively covered by the New York Times where the debate has been when did the Anthropocene begin (1950?). However some of us would put it at the be turn of the 19th century when the Rev Thomas Malthus predicted the danger of human population growth, that ironically became exponential after his prediction.
The serious human health implications indicate that medicine must play a key role in designing preventive and mitigation strategies. Education on the implications of the Anthropocene is therefore required. To this end we have put together a lecture series given by leaders in the field. In our first part we will address key implications and in our second part provide innovative solutions. We will also have a seminar day devoted to the human diet as a major cause of resource use and planetary degradation. We hope this lecture series will evolve annually to help address environmental and climate change issues until humans have brought them under better control.
Recording