One doula’s push to help moms‑to‑be face climate risks head‑on

On Jan 22 2026 CBC’s What on Earth newsletter spotlights Esther Louis, a Florida doula who launched Doula C‑Hot, a pilot program training 12 doulas to help pregnant families mitigate climate‑related threats. After her own 2017 Hurricane Irma evacuation—an 10‑hour drive that stretched to 24 hours—Louis saw the need for climate‑savvy birth support. The program, run through Florida Clinicians for Climate Action, teaches doulas to discuss extreme heat, floods, and evacuation plans, provide hydration advice, and even supply portable air‑conditioners to low‑income homes. In 2025, Save the Children reports 8 million babies were born in conflict zones, 6 million also facing climate hazards. By equipping doulas, Louis hopes to improve prenatal resilience in Florida and beyond.