WHAT IS PLANETARY HEALTH?
The conversion of natural habitat to land used for agriculture and industry is occurring rapidly on a global scale, with dire consequences for the structure and function of ecosystems.
Demographic shifts and increased demand for food, animal products, biofuel, and even cosmetics continue to drive the destruction of ecosystems and their services. This extractive activity leads to negative environmental and human health impacts including:
90% Tropical deforestation driven by agriculture, according to the World Wildlife Fund's 2024 Living Planet Report
The complex interactions between changes in land use, land cover, ecosystem services, and the attendant impacts on human health require longitudinal study across geographic regions in addition to urgent action to re-wild and restore many of the planet’s natural habitats.
Infectious Diseases Land Use and Land Cover Change
This case study is about the effects dam building and land use change have had on schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease, in the Senegal River Basin in West Africa.
• Case Studies
Nutritional Diseases Land Use and Land Cover Change
This case study focuses on a trio of strategies for redesigning the food system: the need to sustainably intensify production; promote a shift towards healthier plant-based diets; and reduce global food loss and waste.
• Case Studies
Land Use and Land Cover Change
The Global Forest Resources Assessments (FRA) are now produced every five years in an attempt to provide a consistent approach to describing the world’s forests and how they are changing.
• Tools
Land Use and Land Cover Change Ocean / Marine Degradation
• Research & Reports
Climate Change Land Use and Land Cover Change
• Research & Reports
