Infectious Diseases Land Use and Land Cover Change
Urbanisation and infectious diseases in a globalised world. The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
• Research & Reports
WHAT IS PLANETARY HEALTH?
Land Use and Land Cover Change
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
- Substantial reduction of biological diversity
- Increased local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from land clearing by burning, which is particularly problematic in tropical and subtropical regions where oil palm cultivation is rapidly increasing
- Soil degradation, which reduces soil ecosystem services such as carbon storage, and increases the risk of desertification
- Nitrogen and phosphorus deposition from agricultural field runoff
- Decreased water quality and quantity
- Increased exposure to water-borne, zoonotic, and vector-borne diseases
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.
Land Use and Land Cover Change Resources
Life Stage and Reproductive Health Land Use and Land Cover Change
Deforestation and vector-borne disease: Forest conversion favors important mosquito vectors of human pathogens. Basic and Applied Ecology.
• Research & Reports
Nutritional Diseases Land Use and Land Cover Change
Tropical deforestation causes large reductions in observed precipitation. Nature.
• Research & Reports
Land Use and Land Cover Change
Vegetation fires in the Anthropocene. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment.
• Research & Reports
Land Use and Land Cover Change Arts
Planetary Health in the Arts: Featuring Climate Stories in Music Composition and Improvisation
Musician and educator Jason Davis introduces his work with climate storytelling and music, including an overview of his organization Climate Stories Project and a discussion about the intersection of art and climate change. Jason also demonstrates his artistic approach by playing videos and performances of several composed and improvised music pieces which feature voice samples of people from around the world speaking about their responses to the climate crisis. Jason’s goal is to inspire engagement and positive action with climate change using the power of storytelling and art.
• Videos
News Related to Land Use and Land Cover Change
Cultural Performance as Ecological Healing in Kenya
