Planetary Health and The Great Transition

Disruption is what humanity seems to excel at, for better or worse. In fact, we’re so good at disrupting Earth’s natural systems we have a geologic epoch named after us – the Anthropocene. Humans are wreaking havoc with Earth’s natural systems¹, which negatively impacts our own health and the rest of life on the planet². We are experiencing Chief Seattle’s wisdom about our connection to nature in increasingly dangerous ways. Through complex pathways, changes in natural systems alter exposure to infectious disease, natural hazards, and impact just about every dimension of human health and well-being³. 

Staying on this course holds little promise, so can we disrupt in a positive way? Can we change our relationships with our planet, each other, and shape the future we wish to have for ourselves and generations to come? Achieving a regenerative future – one that is more just, equitable, inclusive, and respects our planetary boundaries^4,5 – is entirely possible. 

Planetary health is a new scientific field that has emerged over the last several years to do just that^6.7. Planetary health research provides the knowledge base demonstrating that human health and the health of our planet are inextricably linked and that creating positive change is a matter of urgent self-interest requiring integrated social, economic, and environmental approaches to address these challenges. Planetary health also encompasses a powerful, solutions-oriented global movement with an active transdisciplinary and transgenerational community that welcomes people of all ages and life experiences to bring their knowledge, stories, and solutions to bear. To achieve a regenerative and positive future, we will also need a paradigm shift – often referred to as “The Great Transition” – which entails a fundamental shift in human values and in the way we produce, consume, and live with each other and nature ⁸. To achieve this ambitious vision and to promote, mobilize, and lead an inclusive field of practitioners, the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) was formed in 2016 and is growing quickly⁹. 

Opportunities are emerging that enable different sectors to incorporate planetary health into their work and take part in “The Great Transition.” One such example is, “A pledge for planetary health to unite health professionals in the Anthropocene”^10,11. It is an interprofessional planetary health pledge based on the 1948 Declaration of Geneva that calls for including, “planetary health principles in the professional ethos, education, and practice of all health professionals.”¹²