As we have highlighted in previous blog posts, our planet’s and its people’s health is deeply interconnected and depends on thriving ecosystems and a stable climate.
However, unprecedented challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing health disparities underscore the need to change our current approaches to, for example, economics and ecosystems.
Therefore, in this final post, we would like to conclude the topic of Planetary Health (PH) with a positive outlook and highlight areas of promising potential for positive change that make Planetary Health a vision for the future.
Promoting Planetary Health Education
Human action (and inaction) is the greatest driving force behind global change, threatening the stability of the planet and ourselves. Therefore, in order to facilitate the return of the planet’s systems to “safe zones”, action is required at the root of the problem: human behavior. Education as an important tool for shaping and modifying behavior, plays a crucial role in this context.
Today, many universities around the world offer specific Planetary Health-focused degree programs, modules, and more. According to the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) (n.d.), “more than 20 university-level centers [are] fully focused on planetary health” worldwide. In 2021, the PHA unveiled a Planetary Health Education Framework (Fig. 1) to provide educators and learners at all levels of higher education with a cohesive foundation that’s applicable across disciplines, sectors, geographies, and different educational approaches. To realize its full potential, however, Planetary Health Education must extend beyond higher education and adult education to reach younger audiences. Educating young people about planetary health is a promising but underexplored opportunity. Research shows that early environmental education influences future behaviors and attitudes, suggesting that introducing planetary health concepts early can help cultivate environmentally conscious adults.
Fig. 1: The planetary health education framework. Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(21)00110-8/fulltext#fig1
Resilient Urban Environments
Urban areas are essential to a sustainable future, bringing both challenges and solutions. Rapid urbanization, combined with the increasing impacts of climate change, requires more resilient and adaptive urban environments. The future of urban resilience depends on multiple aspects, including infrastructure, communities, and ecosystems, all of which must work together to create sustainable, livable spaces for future generations.
Smart cities of the future will integrate renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly materials to increase efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems can decentralize energy production and create resilient urban energy networks. Innovative materials, such as cross-laminated timber, reduce the environmental footprint of construction while improving building performance. Passive cooling systems that rely on natural ventilation, shaded facades, and reflective materials are another example of how urban design can reduce energy demand, especially in warmer climates. These innovations not only support climate goals but also create healthier living conditions for residents.
Incorporating natural elements such as green roofs, vertical gardens, and other urban green spaces into urban planning offers numerous benefits for people and the planet. Green roofs, for example, insulate buildings, reduce heating and cooling needs while absorbing stormwater and improve air quality. Urban green spaces, such as parks and community gardens, help mitigate the effects of urban heat islands by cooling surrounding areas. They also serve as recreational spaces that promote physical and mental well-being, as green spaces reduce stress and increase overall happiness. These spaces can also become important habitats for biodiversity, providing refuge for birds, insects, and other species in the urban environment.
Fig. 2: Growing a Green City. Source: https://www.yournec.org/growing-a-green-city-how-to-build-resilient-and-sustainable-urban-centers/
Strengthening Ecosystems
Protecting, enhancing, and where necessary, restoring the world’s ecosystems is essential to maintaining environmental balance and ensuring a sustainable future. In addition to their intrinsic value and importance, ecosystems play a vital role in humans, animals, and the planet and its stability.
Healthy ecosystems provide vital services to people – ecosystem services (ES), the benefits nature provides to people. The four types of support, provisioning, regulating, and cultural contribute uniquely to sustaining life and well-being, enhancing ecological resilience, and promoting economic stability.
Ecosystems are complex and dynamic, requiring equally nuanced conservation and management. Effective strategies vary by ecological and socio-economic context and may include cross-sector collaboration, adaptive management, and accounting for environmental costs. Strengthening existing ecosystems ensures their resilience to environmental stressors and their continued provision of ES to people. Targeted restoration efforts can revitalize degraded ecosystems. In addition, sustainable land and seascape management can include expanding protected areas, integrating biodiversity-friendly planning, and promoting inclusive governance. By prioritizing these actions globally, supported by innovative financing and partnerships, we can protect our planet’s natural resources and support the health of both the environment and communities.
The European Commission highlights several successful nature restoration projects across the Union. In Ireland, for example, peatland restoration efforts have shown useful ways to revive these vital carbon-storing ecosystems and habitats. The restoration of the Skjern River in Denmark has improved water quality, wildlife, tourism, and the local economy.
Advancing a Circular Economy
A circular economy represents a transformative shift from the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose” to a system designed for regeneration, resilience, and sustainability. This approach revolves around three core principles: designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.
Central to a circular economy is the concept of zero waste. This includes using materials that are biodegradable or recyclable, and ensuring that product lifecycles consider environmental impact from the start. For example, apparel brands can use natural fibers instead of synthetics to reduce microplastic pollution, while electronics manufacturers can design devices that are easier to disassemble and repair. Maximizing the lifespan of products and materials is another aspect of the circular economy. Initiatives such as repair cafes, secondhand marketplaces, and sharing platforms empower consumers to extend the usefulness of goods, reducing the need for new resource extraction. Industry can adopt strategies such as remanufacturing and refurbishing to breathe new life into used products.
Because a circular economy also seeks to restore and regenerate natural systems, practices such as composting organic waste and sustainable agriculture enrich soil health, contributing to carbon sequestration and increased biodiversity. In urban areas, circular initiatives can include turning food waste into biogas or using gray water for irrigation. These systems not only minimize environmental impact but actively contribute to the regeneration of ecosystems.
By transitioning to a circular economy, we can decouple economic growth from resource consumption, reduce environmental degradation, and build a system that supports both planetary health and human well-being.
Fig. 3: Circular economy. Source: https://research.csiro.au/circulareconomy/about/
A Vision for the Future and Call to Action
By reimagining our cities, embracing the circular economy, and fostering cooperation across borders, we can lay the foundation for a more sustainable future. Prioritizing equity and social justice is essential for a sustainable future, as marginalized communities, who are often most affected by crises, must be empowered and included in solutions. Achieving PH requires shared responsibility, global cooperation, innovation, and the integration of environmental and public health policies. Together, we can restore ecosystems, create sustainable food systems, and build resilience to future challenges.
Planetary Health is not just a vision but an urgent call to action. By taking meaningful steps today, we can lay the groundwork for a healthier planet and a better quality of life for generations to come.
This blog entry was written within the Planetary Health Campus Ambassador Programme 2024 of the Planetary Health Alliance. Views expressed may not represent the positions of the Planetary Health Alliance or its membership.
Disclaimer: This blog entry is the final one of four on planetary health.
My main academic interest lies in exploring the interconnection between human well-being and environmental health. With a background in health science, I am currently pursuing a master's degree in Environment, Climate Change, and Health, which allows me to deepen my knowledge and understanding in this field. Beyond my studies, I enjoy reading and love spending time outdoors
I started my master program in Environment, Climate Change and Health at the University of Bayreuth last year. During my bachelor's degree, I was already particularly interested in the interrelationships between climate change, environmental alterations and public health. Looking ahead, I aim to find a way towards a healthy future while acting with respect to the environment.
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