What is Planetary Health?
Planetary Health is an emerging trans-disciplinary field, encompassing the connections between human health and the natural/physical sciences, and broadly integrating the related fields of public health, geo health, one health, global health, etc. A complicated field, planetary health is, perhaps, best defined by the as "the health of human civilization and the state of the natural systems on which it depends." To learn more .
Planetary Health Alliance
The (PHA) is a consortium of more than 280 universities, NGOs, and other partners with a shared mission — supporting the growth of a rigorous, policy-focused, transdisciplinary field of applied research aimed at understanding and addressing the human health implications of accelerating anthropogenic change in Earth’s natural systems.
PHA Resources
The PHA has developed a robust online repository of open-access resources for educators, including sample syllabi, learning objectives, key publications, and other classroom materials. 51Æ·²èfaculty are encouraged to contribute to and access these resources at the PHA website. To share your own developed resources, please visit the Planetary Health Education page. At the bottom of the page is the "Licensing and Fair Use Agreement" with a link to a survey that will walk you through uploading documents to share.
- 51Æ·²èapplication for membership to Planetary Health Alliance (PDF)
- Planetary Health Infographic (PDF) by The Lancet
- Safeguarding Health in Anthropocene Epoch (PDF) in The Lancet
- Planetary Health definitions and diagrams (PDF), Howard Frumkin slides, 2017 PH annual meeting
- Work of other institutions in Planetary Health (PDF), Gen Meredith slides, 2017 PH annual meeting
- Human Health Impacts of Ecosystem Alterations (PDF) by Myers et al, proceedings of National Academy of Sciences
- A Case for Planetary Health/GeoHealth (PDF) by Almada et al, American Geophysical Union publications
51Æ·²èPlanetary Health Council
Given the alignment of PHA’s mission with the global and innovative mission of UNE, the University joined many other academic institutions, government bodies, non-profit organizations, and research institutes as an institutional member of the PHA in April 2017. Thus was born the 51Æ·²èPlanetary Health Council. Composed of faculty and professional staff, the council contributes programming to the field of planetary health and advocates for an interdisciplinary approach to more fully integrated planetary health concepts into curricula and student learning experiences across the University’s colleges
Mission
51Æ·²èwill coordinate and elevate Planetary Health education and research initiatives; develop a range of interdisciplinary local to global learning opportunities grounded in Planetary Health and accessible to all members of its community; and educate and celebrate Planetary Health leaders who impact our workplaces and communities.
Vision
UNE, a local and global leader in planetary health education, research, and outreach ensures that all members of its community are prepared to live and work as planetary health leaders.
Presentations and Events
Read past presentations
Baeder C. Using a planetary health framework to initiate integration of health and environmental sciences in higher education and research (PDF). Poster presentation at: Maine Public Health Association 2019 Annual Conference; October 8, 2019; Augusta, Maine, United States.
Gunderman J, Parker H. Catalyzing planetary health engagement at a university (PDF). Poster presentation at: Planetary Health Alliance 2018 Annual Meeting; May 29-31, 2018; Edinburgh, Scotland.
Baeder C, Farady S, Cariddi A. An Innovative Event Production & Implementation Model to Advance Sustained Transdisciplinary Collaboration in Higher Education (PDF). Oral presentation at: 4th Annual Heartland Interprofessional Education Conference; July 22, 2022; Virtual.
Watch past events
News
Stay up-to-date on the 51Æ·²èPlanetary Health Council’s news
Leadership Team
- Alethea Cariddi, Sustainability
- Susan Farady, School of Marine and Environmental Programs
- Anna Bass, Biological Sciences
- Lee Cote, Communications
- Emily Estell, Nutrition Program
Contact
Email any questions, concerns, or ideas to the Planetary Health Council chair Alethea Cariddi at acariddi@une.edu.