A team of Harvard researchers has found significant links between the environment and health in Africa and the Middle East. At Harvard Worldwide Week last month, attendees were given an inside look at this ongoing project. They have found that developing countries in this part of the world face a disproportionate health burden from environmental factors like climate change and contamination. The researchers are working with institutions throughout the region to create ways to combat the challenges. One of the main things that Professor Petros Koutrakis has focused on is dust storms in Kuwait. He and his colleagues have been able to find how desert vegetation and wind patterns are having an impact on dust storms. While these are a common meteorological occurrence, Koutrakis says they do affect things as normal as the ability to exercise. Dust storms also can exacerbate chronic respiratory problems. Another area the researchers have examined it Tunisia's booming tourism industry. The increase in business has caused a surge in electricity demand and water consumption during the busy season. The final problem examined was air pollution in Uganda. The research being done by those at Harvard particularly follows how air quality corresponds with the relative health and lung function of HIV-positive patients. There is no denying that the environment plays a big role in our overall well being. If you are looking for more insight into the challenges we face and how to make our world a better place, Chad Pregracke is a leader in the field that can inform your organization. Pregracke's love of nature is apparent in his presentations. He was named CNN Hero of the Year in 2013 for his work cleaning up the environment. Through his organization Living Lands & Waters, eight million pounds of garbage has been removed from the Mississippi River. A decade later, he started MillionTreesProject and over 700,000 trees have been planted since. Pregracke and his crew live on a floating barge for up to nine months out of the year and they have educated thousands of students on their floating classroom. He has shared the story about his life's work in the book, "From the Bottom Up: One Man's Crusade to Clean America's River." Our celebrity speakers bureau has successfully aligned talent like Chad Pregracke with companies needing a guest speaker for conventions, conferences, trade shows, graduations, store grand opening, product launches and much more. >>Inquire About Chad Pregracke’s Availability