Planetary Health
Humans are disrupting the health of the natural systems upon which our wellbeing and very lives depend. We urgently need to act in order to sustain life on this planet.
Led by experts from numerous fields across the globe, planetary health is an emerging field that addresses human-caused disruptions of earth's natural systems, and the effect of these changes on human health and wellbeing. Organizations such as Project Drawdown, Nurses' Drawdown and the Planetary Health Alliance are leading the charge on planetary health education and research today.
If we shift our perspective to understand the overlapping and interconnected systems in which we live, we can make choices that are in service of our natural environment and profoundly affect the wellbeing of both the planet and its individual citizens. True planetary health is reflected in a world where natural systems are allowed to flourish, everyone has access to clean water and air, biological diversity is supported, and humans are treated ethically and equally.
Working toward planetary health includes:
- Reusing, repurposing, or recycling products
- Reducing food waste and eating a plant-forward diet
- Volunteering for organizations supporting planetary health
- Voting for candidates who support environmental protections
- Ensuring that animals are raised responsibly and treated humanely
- Carpooling, biking, or taking mass transit
Heal the planet, heal yourself
Take charge of planetary health today.
How well do you help the environment? Set a specific goal
Healing Environments
When you think of a healing environment, what comes to mind? A spa, a Japanese garden, perhaps a corner of your house? Few of us would immediately think of their local health clinic or a hospital. But that is beginning to change as healthcare organizations pay attention to a growing body of research that clearly demonstrates the benefits of a healing environment.
Among other things, the research reveals that specific design changes in healthcare environments can reduce our stress and alleviate the consequences of that stress. These changes can also help reduce medical errors and hospital-acquired infections, while improving staff morale and efficiency.
