Karen Stears, M.S., Billings, Genetics Counselor
“If we don’t have a healthy environment, we don’t have healthy food, we don’t have healthy air, and we cannot be healthy ourselves.”
Karen Stears began her public climate action 10 years ago when she was asked to teach her son’s 6th grade science class about “the changing earth.” Her personal research had heightened her concern for climate change, and she felt a responsibility to help educate the next generation about the realities of climate change, and inspire them to take action. Since then, she has become increasingly involved in climate action in Montana, even while continuing to work as a genetics counselor at SCL Health (now Intermountain Health). Karen previously lived and worked in Wyoming and trained at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Not one to just sit and worry, Karen acts! She is avidly involved in many local organizations including Citizens Climate Lobby, MT Cares, Sierra Club, and Northern Plains. _Four years ago, after seeing an opportunity to improve the air quality of her community, she met with Mayor Bill Cole to highlight federal funding sources that would increase electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Billings. With her friend Janny Kirk, Karen began applying to grants on behalf of the city which culminated in 12 EV chargers for Billings, located along the hospital corridor, the airport, and in parking facilities downtown (DEQ MT VW settlement).
After this experience and her close work with the city, Karen was selected as a member of the City of Billings Energy and Conservation Commission.
Along with her public involvement, Karen’s personal life reflects her values – she and her husband drive electric cars and she bikes extensively. They eat local as much as possible and she is creating a food forest in her yard to improve the soil, sequester carbon, and provide hyperlocal foods!
She feels that being a healthcare provider has helped in her climate activism journey. Her experience with scientific research has prepared her to navigate climate science, and her drive to improve air quality and other climate/public health hazards is driven not only by a desire for her and her family to live in a healthy community, but also for the health of every one of her patients.
Acting on climate gives Karen hope for the future. She encourages everyone to get involved where they live, breathe, work, and play.
“If we don’t have a healthy environment, we don’t have healthy food, we don’t have healthy air, and we cannot be healthy ourselves.”
Karen Stears began her public climate action 10 years ago when she was asked to teach her son’s 6th grade science class about “the changing earth.” Her personal research had heightened her concern for climate change, and she felt a responsibility to help educate the next generation about the realities of climate change, and inspire them to take action. Since then, she has become increasingly involved in climate action in Montana, even while continuing to work as a genetics counselor at SCL Health (now Intermountain Health). Karen previously lived and worked in Wyoming and trained at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Not one to just sit and worry, Karen acts! She is avidly involved in many local organizations including Citizens Climate Lobby, MT Cares, Sierra Club, and Northern Plains. _Four years ago, after seeing an opportunity to improve the air quality of her community, she met with Mayor Bill Cole to highlight federal funding sources that would increase electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Billings. With her friend Janny Kirk, Karen began applying to grants on behalf of the city which culminated in 12 EV chargers for Billings, located along the hospital corridor, the airport, and in parking facilities downtown (DEQ MT VW settlement).
After this experience and her close work with the city, Karen was selected as a member of the City of Billings Energy and Conservation Commission.
Along with her public involvement, Karen’s personal life reflects her values – she and her husband drive electric cars and she bikes extensively. They eat local as much as possible and she is creating a food forest in her yard to improve the soil, sequester carbon, and provide hyperlocal foods!
She feels that being a healthcare provider has helped in her climate activism journey. Her experience with scientific research has prepared her to navigate climate science, and her drive to improve air quality and other climate/public health hazards is driven not only by a desire for her and her family to live in a healthy community, but also for the health of every one of her patients.
Acting on climate gives Karen hope for the future. She encourages everyone to get involved where they live, breathe, work, and play.