Planetary Health : Human Health in an Era of Global Environmental Change

Planetary Health - the idea that human health and the health of the environment are inextricably linked - encourages the preservation and sustainability of natural systems for the benefit of human health. Drawing from disciplines such as public health, environmental science, evolutionary anthropology, welfare economics, geography, policy and organizational theory, it addresses the challenges of the modern world, where human health and well-being is threatened by increasing pollution and climate change. A comprehensive publication covering key concepts in this emerging field, Planetary Health reviews ideas and approaches to the subject such as natural capital, ecological resilience, evolutionary biology, One Earth and transhumanism. It also sets out through case study chapters the main links between human health and environmental change, covering: - Climate change, land use and waterborne infectious diseases. - Sanitation, clean energy and fertilizer use. - Trees, well-being and urban greening. - Livestock, antibiotics and greenhouse gas emissions. Providing an extensive overview of key theories and literature for academics and practitioners who are new to the field, this engaging and informative read also offers an important resource for students of a diverse range of subjects, including environmental sciences, animal sciences, geography and health. Cover Planetary Health Human Health in an Era of Global Environmental Change Copyright Contents About the Editor Contributors Foreword Reference 1 Introduction to Planetary Health 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Human Health and the Environment 1.3 Human Health and Environmental Change 1.4 A Systems Approach to Planetary Health Adaptation and transformation Identifying precursors for adaptation and transformation 1.5 Conclusions References 2 Key Concepts in Planetary Health 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Humanity is Changing the Earth The Anthropocene The Great Acceleration 2.3 Beyond Earth’s Natural Limits The Limits to Growth Planetary boundaries Global footprints Sustainable Development Goals 2.4 Re-evaluating Humanity’s Relationship with Nature Gaia theory Deep time Natural capital 2.5 Conclusions Note References 3 The Evolutionary Biology Approach: a Natural Baseline for Human Health 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Establishing a Natural Baseline 3.3 Infection and Illness 3.4 Evolution and Energy Requirements 3.5 Hormone Exposure 3.6 Conclusions References 4 The Natural Capital Approach: Opportunities and Challenges 4.1 The Value of Nature 4.2 Natural Capital and Sustainability 4.3 Systems, Geography and Time 4.4 The Valuation Problem 4.5 Urgency and Terms of Office: the Political Dilemma 4.6 Natural Capital and Human Health 4.7 Conclusions References 5 The One Earth Approach: Planetary Health in an Era of Limits 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Kinship with Creation 5.3 The Challenge of Wicked Dilemmas 5.4 The Challenges of Modernization and Sustainability 5.5 Health as an Integrated Component of the Ecosystem 5.6 A Land–ancestor–descendant Ethic for Planetary Health References 6 The Transhuman Approach: Technoscience and Nature 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Areas of Synergy and Opportunities 6.3 Potential Challenges and Conflicts 6.4 Two Critiques of Transhumanism from the Perspective of Planetary Health Whom does transhumanism benefit? Class and race in transhumanism 6.5 What is the Ecological Cost of Transhumanism? 6.6 Conclusions References 7 Trends in Human Health 7.1 Human Health and the Natural Environment 7.2 Regional Inequalities in Health 7.3 Economic Development and Health 7.4 Three Key Transitions in Human Development References 8 The Demographic Transition 8.1 Population Changes over Time 8.2 Population Increase and Planetary Health 8.3 Stages of the Demographic Transition References 9 The Epidemiological Transition 9.1 The Three Stages of Epidemiological Transition 9.2 The Main Classes of Disease Types 9.3 Disease Risk and Relationship to Income 9.4 Group I Diseases: Infection, Malnutrition and Childbirth New infectious disease and disease spread Antibiotic resistance 9.5 Group II Diseases: Non-communicable Diseases and Lifestyles Health into old age 9.6 Group III: Conflict, Accidents and Disasters 9.7 Increasing Exposure to Risk Factors Note References 10 The Ecological Transition 10.1 Redefining our Place within Nature 10.2 The Need for Better Environmental Stewardship 10.3 The Ecological Transition and Human Health 10.4 Long-term Benefits of Engaging with Nature 10.5 Conclusions References 11 Agriculture: Land Use, Food Systems and Biodiversity 11.1 Farming and Human Progress 11.2 Scale of Land Conversion and Land Use Change Agriculture and water resources Improving agricultural yields 11.3 Livestock and Greenhouse Gases 11.4 Biodiversity: Less Diverse Ecosystems and Health The biosphere, habitats and biomes Rate of biodiversity loss Intensive agriculture and monoculture Monoculture and dietary diversity 11.5 Plant-derived Medicines 11.6 Loss of Habitat and Zoonotic Disease Spread 11.7 Land Use and Ecosystem Services References 12 Urbanization, Living Standards and Sustainability 12.1 The Urbanization of Planet Earth 12.2 The Urban Environment and the Urban Penalty 12.3 Urban Health, Development and Demographics 12.4 The Benefits of Urbanization 12.5 Health and Urban Infrastructure 12.6 Urbanization and Sustainability 12.7 Conclusions References 13 Energy Use, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Global Warming 13.1 Energy: the Driver of Human Progress 13.2 Increasing Rates of Energy Use 13.3 Energy Use and Population Numbers 13.4 Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change Increasing world temperatures 13.5 Climate Change and Health Increased temperature and heat stress 13.6 Temperature Rise and Extreme Weather Events 13.7 Increasing Temperatures and Disease 13.8 Climate Change, Food Systems and Nutrient Balance 13.9 Health Impacts of Ocean Acidification, Sea Level Rise and Ocean Warming 13.10 Conclusions References 14 Environmental Protection: a Key Tool for Planetary Health 14.1 Environmental Contamination 14.2 Air, Water, Land and Occupational Hazards 14.3 The Health Impact of Pollution 14.4 Air Quality Impacts 14.5 Industrialization and Manufacturing Neurotoxins and endocrine disruptors Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) 14.6 Chemical Pollution to Water Supplies 14.7 Preventing Pollution Note References 15 Conclusions: Equity, Distribution and Planetary Health 15.1 Changing Times, Changing Challenges 15.2 The Uneven Distribution of Environmental Degradation 15.3 In-country Inequality 15.4 Managing the Pace of Change 15.5 Demographic Impacts 15.6 Conclusions References 16 Climate Change, Land Use and Waterborne Infectious Disease 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Infectious Disease Transmission 16.3 Anthroponoses Direct transmission Indirect transmission 16.4 Zoonoses Direct transmission Indirect transmission 16.5 Types of Environmental Change Irrigation Urbanization Climate change 16.6 Conclusions References 17 Sanitation, Clean Energy and Fertilizer 17.1 Sanitation and Health 17.2 Sanitation for the Environment 17.3 A Source of Natural Fertilizer 17.4 Biogas and Clean Energy from Waste 17.5 Cultural Challenges to Sanitation 17.6 Sanitation Infrastructure and Public Policy 17.7 Conclusions References 18 Trees, Well-being and Urban Greening 18.1 Introduction 18.2 Trees and Urban Heat 18.3 Trees, Physical Inactivity and Obesity 18.4 Trees and Well-being 18.5 Trees and Air Pollution 18.6 Trees and PM Air Pollution 18.7 Health Impacts of Tree Loss References 19 Livestock, Antibiotics and Greenhouse Gas Emissions 19.1 Introduction 19.2 Livestock Impacts: the Full Cost of Food 19.3 The Future of Livestock 19.4 Land Use Changes: Cropland, Grazing and Biodiversity 19.5 Livestock Impact on GHG Emissions 19.6 Use of Antibiotics in Livestock 19.7 Transmission and Rates of Zoonotic Disease 19.8 Impact Competition: Interactions and Trade-offs 19.9 Addressing the Challenges 19.10 Potential Paths of Action: Impacts, Trade-offs and Potential Co-benefits 19.11 Conclusions References Index Back Cover Planetary health - the idea that human health and the health of the environment are inextricably linked - promotes the preservation of natural systems for the benefit of human health. This book reviews the varied approaches to the subject, as well as providing case study chapters on the main links between human health and environmental change. Planetary Health - the idea that human health and the health of the environment are inextricably linked - encourages the preservation and sustainability of natural systems for the benefit of human health. Drawing from disciplines such as public health, environmental science, evolutionary anthropology, welfare economics, geography, policy and organizational theory, it addresses the challenges of the modern world, where human health and well-being is threatened by increasing pollution and climate change.A comprehensive publication covering key concepts in this emerging field, Planetary Health reviews ideas and approaches to the subject such as natural capital, ecological resilience, evolutionary biology, One Earth and transhumanism. It also sets out through case study chapters the main links between human health and environmental change, covering:- Climate change, land use and waterborne infectious diseases.- Sanitation, clean energy and fertilizer use.- Trees, well-being and urban greening. - Livestock, antibiotics and greenhouse gas emissions.Providing an extensive overview of key theories and literature for academics and practitioners who are new to the field, this engaging and informative read also offers an important resource for students of a diverse range of subjects, including environmental sciences, animal sciences, geography and health Planetary Health - the idea that human health and the health of the environment are inextricably linked - encourages the preservation and sustainability of natural systems for the benefit of human health. Drawing from disciplines such as public health, environmental science, evolutionary anthropology, welfare economics, geography, policy and organizational theory, it addresses the challenges of the modern world, where human health and well-being is threatened by increasing pollution and climate change. This book, which contains 19 chapters, reviews ideas and approaches to the subject such as natural capital, ecological resilience, evolutionary biology, One Earth, transhumanism, demographic transition, epidemiological transition, ecological transition, food security, urbanization, living standards, sustainability, energy use, global warming, environmental protection and equity. It also sets out through case studies the main links between human health and environmental change, covering: (1) climate change, land use and waterborne infectious diseases; (2) sanitation, clean energy and fertilizer use; (3) trees, well-being and urban greening; and (4) livestock, antibiotics and greenhouse gas emissions. Providing an extensive overview of key theories and literature for academics and practitioners who are new to the field, this book also offers an important resource for students of a diverse range of subjects, including environmental sciences, animal sciences, geography and health