Planetary health, human well-being and environmental justice
ModulesPlanetary health, human well-being and environmental justice
This introductory micromodule explores the concept of Planetary Health as a framework linking human well-being with the state of natural systems. By the end of the module, participants should be able to:
- Explain how environmental degradation affects human health through the framework of planetary boundaries
- Identify the disproportionate effects of climate change on different populations.
- Reflect on the ethical implications of environmental injustices.
- Relate the concept of planetary health to research responsibilities.
What is this about?
Exploring planetary health
Our health is deeply interlinked with the environment we live in, from the quality of our air, water, and soil, to our social networks, living conditions, and biodiversity. This video introduces the concept of Planetary Health, which explores how the well-being of humans, animals, and ecosystems are inseparably linked. It highlights the environmental and social drivers of health risks, including climate change, deforestation, pollution, and global inequities. Developed by the Nuffic-funded Capacity Strengthening in Epidemiology and Public Health project (CATAPULT) consortium (Asian University for Women, Elevate Health, and UMC Utrecht), the video provides an introduction to why safeguarding planetary systems is essential for promoting health and justice worldwide. Watch the video, and click on the blue pen icon in the left hand corner to make notes while watching. Remember the summary! (click on cc - bottom right in video - to activate subtitles)
What do we mean by “justice” in planetary health?
In the context of planetary health, justice means recognising that the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change are not distributed equally. While some communities contribute more to these problems, often through overconsumption or industrial activity, others (especially low-income or marginalised groups) bear the brunt of the consequences.
Justice asks us to reflect on questions such as:
- Who benefits from current systems?
- Who is most affected by environmental and health harms?
- Whose voices are included or excluded from solutions?
Key concepts in planetary health
Match the key concepts in planetary health to their descriptions.
Match the key planetary health concepts with their descriptions
What can we do to mitigate the risk, adapt, and restore planetary health?
Planetary health is not only a diagnostic concept but also a call to action. You will now explore concrete pathways on mitigation, adaptation, and restoration, as well as the ethical and justice-oriented shifts required to reframe how we promote health and well-being.
References
1. Main source:
Whitmee, S., Haines, A., Beyrer, C., et al. (2015). Safeguarding human health in the Anthropocene epoch: Report of The Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on planetary health. The Lancet, 386(10007), 1973–2028. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60901-1
2. Planetary boundaries framework
Rockström, J., Steffen, W., Noone, K., et al. (2009). A safe operating space for humanity. Nature, 461, 472-475. https://doi.org/10.1038/461472a
3. Planetary health
Martens, P. (2023). Planetary health: The need for a paradigm shift. BioScience, Volume 74, Issue 3, March 2024, Pages 128–129, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biad107
4. Planetary health & environmental change
Haines, A., & Ebi, K. (2019). Addressing challenges to human health in the Anthropocene epoch - An overview of the findings of the Rockefeller/Lancet Commission on Planetary Health. Public Health Rev. 2016;37:14.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5810099/Remarks
After completing this module:
- explore “Planetary health: Connecting climate, health, and power” to understand who is most affected and why (it deepens the justice lens introduced in this module).
- continue with “Addressing environmental justice in research & innovation” to apply justice principles in research practice (it answers: what should researchers do differently in practice?)
- complement with “Ethics of care and human-nature relations” to strengthen relational and ethical grounding (it shifts from justice → to care-based research ethics)
