Third-year resident‘s NUNM Discovery Day talk explores conscious consumerism and clothing industry links to climate change.

With NUNM Discovery Day: “Climate Change Health Risks Revealed” set for October 26, the National University of Natural Medicine is featuring event speakers who will discuss the links between climate change and health. 

Dr. Nozomi Gonzalez, a 2022 alumna of the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), understood the relationship between humans and nature early in her academic career. 

After earning her Bachelor of Arts in international studies and global health from the University of Michigan, Gonzalez said she knew she wanted to pursue a pre-medicine degree to explore healthcare from a global context.  

She became interested in naturopathic medicine along the way — fascinated by how culture, history, and the environment could affect how individuals relate to and participate in medicine. 

“I have also always viewed activists against climate change as doctors in their own sort of way,” said Gonzalez, a third-year resident at NUNM Health Centers ”Rather than healing one person, we are trying to heal the Earth.” 

Along her journey to earning a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine at NUNM, Gonzalez discovered a niche in environmental medicine through immunology. It was one of her favorite classes, she said, and she began to focus on treating immunologic changes that occur through environmental exposures. 

Prior to becoming Chief Medical Resident at NUNM, Gonzalez worked as a peer mentor, teaching assistant, and research assistant. She also participated in clinical and procedural shifts in areas such as minor surgery and IV therapy.  

Her passion for community healthcare also prompted her to lead a clinic shift through the Volunteers of America to help individuals being treated for substance use disorders.  

For the NUNM Discovery Day: Climate Change Health Risks Revealed event, Gonzalez’s talk is entitled “Fast Fashion impacts on a fast-changing climate: choosing an environmentally conscious wardrobe”. This discussion will dive into the negative impacts of fashion on the environment and the personal role individuals can take to combat climate change.  

Gonzalez discussed her upcoming talk about how individuals can make more informed decisions to benefit the environment—in fashion and beyond:

NUNM: How did the topic of “fast fashion” become important to you?  

Gonzalez: Fast fashion is one of the unhealthiest practices we can participate in, both for the world and ourselves. Inherently, any process in which the main goal is to make things as cheap and fast as possible is going to have drawbacks.  

I won’t give too much of the talk away, but once you look at the numbers of what fast fashion is doing to the environment, you start to recognize how the fashion industry is cutting corners and how it has changed the public mindset around what’s needed in order to be ‘fashionable’. This has had a huge impact on us and is an important topic for me because I love dressing up, wearing fun clothes, and can become easily bored with the same outfits. I want to be able to address questions around how individuals can still participate in this form of self-expression without damaging the world in the process.  

How is the natural medicine community in a unique position to address issues related to climate change? 

People involved in naturopathic medicine are in a unique position to have a robust understanding of the human body and the gifts of the healing power of nature. Practices that are aligned with the naturopathic philosophy tend to be ones that are better for the environment, as well. For example, choosing less processed food leads to less packaging and travel time for shipments, and that then leads to less pollution and trash.  

I believe everyone in the naturopathic community has an innate connection with nature that makes it possible for environmental advocacy to be very personal in a powerful way.  

Why do you feel it’s important for both the NUNM community and broader public to attend this event? 

There are a few reasons students should get involved! First, it’s important to find like-minded individuals who are passionate about the same topics as you—both to help fuel your own passion and find community. Second, it’s a good reminder that advocacy can happen at any age and it’s never too late to start. Even if you feel overwhelmed or too busy, just an hour of volunteering makes a difference. Finally, it’s a great opportunity to work on professional skills in a less intimidating setting.  

What do you hope attendees take away from this event?   

Big changes start with small, everyday actions. We can be a part of the cultural shift that creates a healthier world with every decision we make—and this includes what we wear! 

Written by Ashley Villarreal, Marketing Content Specialist