Human health depends on the health of the planet. Climate change, biodiversity loss, scarcity of land and freshwater, pollution and other threats are degrading Earth’s natural systems. The new book Planetary Health looks at the health impacts including food and nutrition, infectious disease, non-communicable disease, dislocation and conflict, and mental health. It also presents strategies to combat environmental changes and their ill-effects, such as controlling toxic exposures, investing in clean energy, improving urban design, and more.
Andrew Farlow, Head of Oxford in Berlin global health initiatives, and one of the contributors, observes: “This book explores how the health of our planet affects our health. Grounded in evidence, it is visually exciting, comes with a wealth of educational support material, and is determined to foster practical change amongst policy makers and in our own lives. It could not be more timely.”
Over the last two years Oxford in Berlin global health workshops have sought to draw colleagues together from all corners of the world. Our October 2019 event “Healthy Planet, Healthy People” engaged participants from over 20 institutions across Europe. We are delighted that many of these institutions, the Planetary Health Alliance, and many of the coauthors of this new book, will be joining us to explore the theme of “Resilient Planet, Resilient Health: shaping a safer planet for all”, part of our new Covid-19 Science and Policy Forum, and helping planetary health to become a key focus of the new Berlin Open Science Centre.
