We live in unprecedented times - the Anthropocene - defined by
far-reaching human impacts on the natural systems that underpin
civilisation. Planetary Health explores the many environmental changes
that threaten to undermine progress in human health, and explains how
these changes affect health outcomes, from pandemics to infectious
diseases to mental health, from chronic diseases to injuries. It shows
how people can adapt to those changes that are now unavoidable, through
actions that both improve health and safeguard the environment. But
humanity must do more than just adapt: we need transformative changes
across many sectors - energy, housing, transport, food, and health care.
The book discusses specific policies, technologies, and interventions to
achieve the change required, and explains how these can be implemented.
It presents the evidence, builds hope in our common future, and aims to
motivate action by everyone, from the general public to policymakers to
health practitioners.