Category Archives: Planetary Health

Climate Change, Food Forest, Human Health, Nature Based Solutions, Planetary Health

Food Forests: Growing Food, Restoring Nature

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(Available in English and Dutch).

Can we grow our food and support planetary health at the same time?

Food forests suggest we can. Planted in layers like a natural woodland – but filled with edible trees, shrubs, and herbs – they produce food while enriching the soil, supporting wildlife, and offering resilience against a changing climate.

This book brings together scientific evidence and hands-on practice. The first part reviews what research shows about food forests: from traditional knowledge to their effects on biodiversity, climate, and human health – exploring the debate over non-native species and how wild animals use plants to heal themselves.

The second part belongs to the growers: twelve practitioners across four continents share their journeys of designing, planting, and living with a food forest, from the first failures to the first real harvest.

Interviews with: Wouter van Eck, Geert Jan Nieboer, Laura Nieboer, Simon Verboom, Wytze Walstra, Marieke Karssen, Martin Crawford, Mark Shepard, Roland van Reenen, Ranil Senanayake, Henry Herbert, and Paul Burgers.

Essential reading for growers, researchers, and anyone thinking about the future of our food.

Order a copy here or via your (online or local) book shop.

Planetary Health

Rights for Nature: A Path to Healthier Ecosystems?

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Can granting legal rights to nature actually make ecosystems healthier? Around the world, rivers, forests, and other natural systems are increasingly being recognized as rights-bearing entities. This paper examines what that shift means in practice, drawing on examples from countries including Ecuador, Colombia, New Zealand, Spain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, and the Netherlands.

Rights of Nature can strengthen legal protection, give ecosystems a formal voice in decision-making, improve coordination between institutions, and encourage earlier action when environmental harm is possible. However, the available evidence is still too limited to conclude that legal recognition on its own leads to measurable ecological recovery.

The paper argues that the real impact depends on what happens after rights are recognized. Strong institutions, effective guardianship, adequate resources, clear implementation, accountability, and cooperation across different levels of government are all essential. In other words, giving nature rights may create important opportunities for change, but those rights only become meaningful when they are translated into everyday governance and practical ecological protection – while remaining aware of the limits of trying to represent nature through systems designed by humans.

Read the full paper: Martens, P., Venhof, V., van der Meer, M., & Robbers, R. (2026). Do Rights of Nature Lead to Healthier Ecosystems? Governance, Planetary Health, and the Boundaries of Legal Reform. Challenges, 17(4), 36. https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17040036

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Biodiversity, Human Health, Planetary Health, Sustainable Development

Could GLP-1 Drugs Have an Environmental Upside?

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GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy are best known for their effects on diabetes, weight loss and appetite. But their impact may extend beyond human health. By reducing how much people eat, widespread use of these medicines could also lower demand for food — and with it, some of the environmental pressures associated with food production.

Our recent analysis explores a scenario in which 100 million people use GLP-1 drugs and consume around 500 fewer calories per day. We estimate this could reduce annual food-related emissions by roughly 34.5 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent, spare about 70,000 km² of agricultural land, and substantially reduce water use and nutrient pollution.

These benefits are not guaranteed. Farmers and food producers may respond in different ways, and reduced demand does not automatically mean land will be restored for nature. Still, the study highlights an intriguing connection: changes in human metabolism and eating behaviour can ripple through entire food systems and ecosystems.

In other words, medicines designed to improve human health may also have unexpected consequences for planetary health.

Read the full paper: O’Bryan, C.J., Szczepanik, M., Martens, P., J.W.H Yong & De Vos, P. (2026). Appetite-suppressing drugs and emerging
implications for sustainability. npj Sustainable Agriculture,  4, 71 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-026-00186-1

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Climate Change, Planetary Health, Sustainable Development

Cool by Design: What Chinese Villages Teach Us About Climate, Comfort, and Community

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Photograph: Wang Ziling

In a recent systematic review, we explored the links between spatial planning and how people experience and interact with their outdoor environments. Focusing on traditional Chinese villages, we found that elements such as building layout, vegetation, and open space design significantly influence not only the local microclimate but also people’s thermal comfort and social behavior.

What stood out was the importance of context. The effectiveness of certain design principles varies across geographic regions, cultural settings, and spatial scales—from single courtyards to entire village clusters. Another key insight: while many studies focus on temperature and airflow data, surprisingly few address how people actually experience and adapt to their environment.

We argue for a more integrated approach—one that blends climate-sensitive design with ecological awareness and human perception. In the face of rising temperatures and climate adaptation challenges, these traditional systems may offer valuable, place-based lessons for the future of rural development.

Read the full article here:
Wan, Z., Liu, H., Yu, Y., Wu, Y., Melchior, M., Martens, P., Krafft, T., & Shaw, D. (2025). How Does Outdoor Spatial Design Shape the Microclimate, Comfort, and Behavior in Traditional Chinese Villages? A Systematic Review Across Scales, Contexts, and Users. Sustainability, 17(15), 6960. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/15/6960

Climate Change, Human Health, Planetary Health

Feeling the heat -or not?

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Dutch youth are growing up in a world where environmental problems are hard to ignore. From disappearing green spaces to rising urban heat, many young adults feel these changes deeply. But how do they cope? And are we paying enough attention?

Our recent study surveyed over 1,000 young people in the Netherlands (aged 16–35) and found something striking: while nearly all respondents had experienced at least one form of environmental stress (especially noise and loss of nature), their emotional responses were far from uniform.

✅ About 20% reported that these stressors significantly affected their daily lives.
✅ 23% worried about the future of their local environment.
✅ 36% felt emotional pain (known as solastalgia) due to the degradation of their surroundings.
🚫 Yet at the same time, nearly 60% believed their own actions had little or no effect on environmental change.

The study reveals a complex picture: many young adults are clearly distressed by environmental degradation — but a large group also seems emotionally disengaged or feels powerless to act. Trust in government institutions is limited, and feelings of helplessness are widespread.

This mismatch between concern and engagement raises urgent questions:
How can we turn passive concern into meaningful action? How do we support young people in dealing with eco-anxiety and solastalgia? And how do we foster a sense of agency and collective care?

The answers may lie not just in policy, but in how we reconnect people — especially the next generation — with their local environments in ways that are empowering, inclusive, and hopeful.

Read the full study to explore how psychology, place attachment, and trust play a role in shaping how youth experience environmental change.

Venhof, V.S.M., Jeronimus, B.F. & Martens, P. (2025). Environmental Distress Among Dutch Young Adults: Worried Minds or Indifferent Hearts? EcoHealth https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-025-01717-x

#EnvironmentalDistress #Solastalgia #DutchYouth #PlanetaryHealth #MentalHealth #EcoAnxiety #YoungVoices #Sustainability #ClimateJustice

Biodiversity, Human Health, Planetary Health, Science, wildlife

Nature’s Guardians: How Predators and Scavengers Protect Planetary Health

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When we think of wolves, vultures, bats or goannas, we might picture danger, disease, or inconvenience. But science is telling us a different story — one that positions these often-feared species as unsung heroes in the fight for a healthier planet.

Our recent paper published in BioScience argues that predators and scavengers play vital, underappreciated roles in maintaining ecological balance and even safeguarding human well-being. Far from being threats, these species are ecosystem regulators, quietly delivering public health benefits and economic value.

From Pest Control to Public Health

Take bats, for example. After bat populations in North America were decimated by white-nose syndrome, farmers had to compensate for lost insect control by using more pesticides. The result? A spike in agricultural costs — and alarmingly, a possible 8% increase in infant mortality in affected regions. The link? More insecticides, more environmental exposure, more risk.

And the vultures of India? Their rapid decline in the 1990s (due to a veterinary drug called diclofenac) caused livestock carcasses to pile up, triggering sanitation crises. Researchers estimate this led to over half a million human deaths and a $69 billion economic impact.

Biodiversity That Pays Off

It’s not just about disease. Predators like the New Zealand falcon help protect vineyards from grape-eating birds. Wolves reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions, saving human lives and insurance costs. Even reptiles like the Australian heath goanna help farmers by consuming fly-attracting carcasses that would otherwise impact livestock.

In short: these animals provide services — pest control, waste removal, disease regulation — that we’d otherwise have to pay for. And often, we’re not even aware of their silent labor.

A Call for Smarter Conservation

Yet despite these benefits, predators and scavengers are in steep decline — hunted, poisoned, or crowded out by development. Their role in planetary health is rarely recognized in global biodiversity frameworks. We urge policymakers to formally include these species as indicators in sustainability metrics, aligning with goals like the UN’s Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework.

Of course, coexistence isn’t simple. A lion that controls herbivore populations may also prey on livestock. That’s why the paper calls for a net-benefit approach: weigh the costs and contributions together, rather than making decisions based on fear or folklore.

The Takeaway

Planetary health isn’t just about climate graphs and pollution stats. It’s about recognizing the web of life that supports us — including the toothy, winged, or misunderstood creatures that clean, balance, and heal our ecosystems.

Protecting predators and scavengers isn’t charity. It’s public health insurance, food security, and climate resilience rolled into one — nature’s services, offered daily, free of charge.

Want to dig deeper? The full article is open access via BioScience.

Christopher J O’Bryan, Alexander R Braczkowski, Pim Martens (2025). Predators and scavengers as sentinels for planetary health, BioScience,  https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf054

Biodiversity, Human Health, Nature Based Solutions, Planetary Health, zoonoses

Een betere relatie met de natuur zal onze gezondheid verbeteren

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Onze gezondheid is direct verbonden met de gezondheid van het systeem waarin planten, dieren en hun omgeving samenleven en elkaar beïnvloeden. Bossen zuiveren de lucht, ecosystemen leveren schoon water, en biodiversiteit houdt plagen onder controle. Vleermuizen illustreren deze nauwe verwevenheid tussen natuur en gezondheid. Deze dieren consumeren per nacht honderden insecten, waardoor muggen in toom gehouden worden die ziektes zoals knokkelkoorts en het westnijlvirus kunnen verspreiden. Ze  bieden natuurlijke plaagbestrijding en dragen bij aan een ecologisch evenwicht. Toch verdwijnen vleermuizen door  habitatverlies en regelgeving die hun bescherming niet garandeert. Recente voorstellen van onze woonminister binnen het programma STOER (Schrappen van Tegenstrijdige of Overbodige Eisen en Regelgeving), dat eisen voor verblijfplaatsen voor beschermde diersoorten wilde schrappen, tonen hoe beleid soms de verkeerde richting op gaat. Gelukkig werd dit voorstel weggestemd, maar het probleem blijft: we onderschatten de rol van natuur in onze volksgezondheid.

Gezondheid is geen geïsoleerd concept; het is een weerspiegeling van hoe we omgaan met onze leefomgeving.

Gezondheidsrisico’s

Klimaatverandering, grootschalige landbouw en verstedelijking leiden niet alleen tot natuurverlies, maar vergroten ook gezondheidsrisico’s, zoals de verspreiding van nieuwe ziekten en een toename van allergieën en mentale stress. Ondanks deze dreigingen worden natuurlijke oplossingen nog te vaak genegeerd in beleid en samenleving. Het probleem reikt natuurlijk verder dan vleermuizen. Onze omgang met dieren en ecosystemen vergroot het risico op infectieziekten, zoals bleek de afgelopen jaren tijdens de Q-koortsepidemie tussen 2006 en 2011 en de meer recente COVID-19-pandemie. Intensieve veehouderij, waar dieren dicht op elkaar leven, creëert een broedplaats voor pathogenen. De focus van de gezondheidszorg blijft echter te vaak beperkt tot symptoombestrijding, terwijl de oorzaak – onze verstoorde relatie met de natuur – nauwelijks ter discussie staat. Preventie door het behoud van biodiversiteit en duurzame landbouwsystemen is niet alleen ecologisch, maar ook economisch en maatschappelijk de verstandigste keuze.

Onze huidige welvaart is vaak ten koste gegaan van biodiversiteit, zowel hier als elders. Hoewel technologie en medicijnen onze levensverwachting hebben verhoogd, mag dit niet worden gezien als een vrijbrief om de natuur verder uit te putten. Gezondheid is geen geïsoleerd concept; het is een weerspiegeling van hoe we omgaan met onze leefomgeving. Als we ecosystemen gezond houden, bouwen we ook aan onze eigen veerkracht. De relatie tussen biodiversiteit en gezondheid is complex en helaas wordt het debat over biodiversiteit en ecosysteemdiensten zelden gekoppeld aan gezondheid, terwijl dit juist een krachtig uitgangspunt is. Gezondheid raakt iedereen – onze kinderen, onze gezinnen, onze toekomst. Het is tijd om natuur en gezondheid niet langer te scheiden. Een gezonde samenleving kan niet zonder een gezonde planeet. Laten we werken aan een toekomst waarin biodiversiteit niet alleen wordt gezien als een ecologisch doel, maar als een essentieel onderdeel van ons eigen welzijn.

We moeten leren de wereld om ons heen te zien als onderdeel van ons eigen welzijn.

Vleermuizen en andere diersoorten zijn geen obstakels, maar bondgenoten in de strijd voor een duurzame en gezonde wereld. Particulieren kunnen vleermuiskasten ophangen of tuinen vergroenen. Bouwers en woningcorporaties kunnen nog meer vleermuisvriendelijke ontwerpen integreren in nieuwbouw. Agrariërs kunnen bomenrijen en houtwallen behouden, die als  vliegroute dienen voor vleermuizen. Op beleidsniveau moeten beschermende maatregelen voor diersoorten niet worden versoepeld, maar juist worden versterkt. Daarnaast vraagt de intensieve veehouderij om een kritische herziening.

Het behoud van onze natuur is een investering in onze eigen toekomst. We staan voor een belangrijke keuze: blijven we kortetermijnoplossingen nastreven die de natuur verder uitputten, of zetten we in op een toekomst waarin natuur en gezondheid hand in hand gaan?

Verschenen in het Nederlands Dagblad, 21 januari 2025.

Climate Change, Human Health, indigenous worldview, Planetary Health

Sámi People’s Perspectives on Environmental Change and Mental Well-Being

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The current body of research on the interplay between environmental shifts and the mental well-being of Circumpolar Indigenous Peoples predominantly adopts a ‘deficit’ perspective, focusing on risks and vulnerabilities. However, scant attention has been paid to exploring the protective and resilience-enhancing factors rooted in Indigenous strengths, particularly among populations such as the Sámi in the Circumpolar North.

Circumpolar Indigenous communities such as the Sámi possess rich traditional knowledge and cultural practices deeply intertwined with their environment and identity. Areas warranting deeper qualitative exploration encompass the dynamics of ‘strength-based factors’ interplay, the influence of community norms, individual coping strategies, and language for the Sámi community, as well as the distinctive variations and parallels among Circumpolar Indigenous peoples’ encounters and viewpoints regarding mental well-being amidst environmental shifts. In forthcoming mental health research and policy formulation, collaboration and inclusion of Indigenous communities stand as imperative steps to deepen comprehension of local adversities, vulnerabilities, and strengths alongside the intricate interplay of social, economic, and historical elements impacting mental well-being, as well as the (local) potential for adaptation.

By studying Indigenous people’s perspectives, public health efforts can identify and build on existing strengths within Indigenous communities and families to support their capacity to adapt to environmental changes and to promote and protect mental well-being. Integrating their perspectives can help tailor public health interventions to be culturally relevant, place-specific, and respectful of Indigenous values and knowledge. Moreover, this approach facilitates the identification of vulnerable groups and addresses disparities in mental health outcomes across the Circumpolar North. Circumpolar Indigenous communities such as the Sámi possess a distinctive holistic perspective on health, embracing mental, physical, and spiritual dimensions. By integrating these viewpoints into research and policymaking processes, involving Indigenous voices can yield more robust public health strategies, effectively addressing mental health within a broader framework.

Read the full paper here: Venhof, V.S.M., Stephens, C., Martens, P. (2024). Voices from the North: Exploring Sámi People’s Perspectives on Environmental Change and Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review. Challenges, 15, 30. https://doi.org/10.3390/challe15020030

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Planetary Health, Sustainable Development

“Dune” as a Mirror for Our Climate Crisis

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Currently, Dune 2 is playing in our theaters. In a time when the climate crisis is becoming increasingly urgent, the science fiction world of Dune provides insight into the challenges our planet faces. At first glance, Frank Herbert’s story from 1965 about power, betrayal, and survival on the desert planet Arrakis seems to have little in common with our contemporary environmental issues. However, Dune is not just an epic adventure but also a parable about ecology, scarcity, and human interaction with the environment.

The ecological crisis on Arrakis, a planet where water is scarcer than gold, serves as a mirror for our world, where the effects of climate change are becoming more tangible. Arrakis, or Dune, is a battleground for limited resources, with the precious ‘spice’ at stake. This fictional element, essential for space travel, power, and life extension, serves as a metaphor for our own global competition for water, food, and energy. The conflict over the spice in Dune reflects the societal unrest we now see due to climate change and resource scarcity.

On the other hand, Dune shows how important adaptation and resilience are. The indigenous Fremen have masterfully adapted to their environment, with innovative methods for water conservation that are essential for their survival. Their lifestyle illustrates the need for our society to find sustainable solutions for environmental challenges such as water management and agricultural practices, adapted to changing climate conditions.

Dune also calls for a deeper ecological awareness and the necessity of a shared responsibility for the well-being of our planet. The aspirations of some characters to transform Arrakis into a more livable world could be seen as the contemporary movements for climate action. This saga also serves as a warning. It shows the destructive paths humanity can take when power, greed, and shortsightedness dominate our relationship with nature.

Thus, Dune is more than a story about interstellar politics and mystical powers. It was in the 1960s, but now more than ever, an urgent call for reflection on our own world. It invites us to critically reconsider the way we live, consume, and interact with our planet. But it also offers hope by showing that change is possible, that through collaboration, innovation, and respect for our planet, a more sustainable and just future is within reach.

Artificial Intelligence, Planetary Health

An Artificial Intelligence Perspective on Planetary Health

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I have been interviewing indigenous and religious leaders about their perspectives in our relationship with animals and nature and planetary health. So I got curious to find out what ‘artificial intelligence’s’ perspectives was. I posed some similar questions to ChatGPT4 and the reponse is given below. The picture above is generated with ChatGPT’s image generator ‘depicting an artificial intelligence system as a guardian of Earth. It combines elements of nature and technology, illustrating AI’s role in monitoring, protecting, and enhancing the planet’s health through sustainable and conservation efforts.‘

Could you please share with us a little about your background a community you are part of?

As an artificial intelligence, I don’t have personal experiences, a background, or belong to any community. My responses are generated based on a mixture of licensed data, data created by human trainers, and publicly available information up to my last training cut-off in April 2023.

Can you give your perspective on Planetary Health and its interactions with our (human) health?

As an AI, I don’t have personal perspectives or experiences, but I can synthesize a comprehensive view based on available knowledge. Planetary Health underscores the intrinsic link between environmental degradation and human well-being, highlighting how human activities that harm the Earth also compromise human health. Climate change, loss of biodiversity, and pollution directly affect food security, spread of diseases, and exposure to natural disasters. Sustainable practices and respect for natural limits are crucial for maintaining the ecosystems that support life, including clean air, water, and soil. The health of humanity is deeply interconnected with the health of our planet, necessitating urgent collective action to address environmental challenges. Promoting Planetary Health is essential for ensuring a sustainable future where both the Earth and its inhabitants can thrive.

What do you think is necessary to change in our societies and worldviews in order to develop a more conscious and caring relationship with nature in particular?

Developing a more conscious and caring relationship with nature requires significant shifts in both societal behaviors and individual worldviews. Firstly, there needs to be a collective acknowledgment of the finite nature of Earth’s resources, fostering respect for the planet’s ecological limits. Education systems should prioritize environmental literacy, ensuring that every individual understands the impacts of human actions on the natural world. Societies must redefine notions of progress and success, moving away from material wealth and towards sustainability and quality of life as key indicators. Economic models should be restructured to incorporate environmental costs, encouraging businesses and consumers to make decisions that benefit the planet. Community-based initiatives can play a crucial role, promoting local engagement with and protection of natural environments. Additionally, embracing and learning from indigenous knowledge and practices can offer valuable insights into living in harmony with nature. Finally, fostering a sense of personal responsibility and connection to the natural world is essential, encouraging individuals to act as stewards of the environment for future generations.

What is your message to the future generations of children who have in many cases grown up outside natural surroundings, and don’t know how to honor and value of everything that is part of our nature?

To future generations: Nature is the foundation of our existence, a source of beauty, sustenance, and inspiration that demands our respect and care. Despite growing up in an era where technology often distances us from the natural world, remember that reconnecting with nature is essential for our well-being and the planet’s health. Take time to explore, cherish, and protect the natural environments around you. Learn about the intricate web of life that sustains us and understand that every action we take impacts this delicate balance. Let’s honor and value nature by acting as its stewards, ensuring a thriving planet for generations to come.

What would be your main message for everyone who wants to contribute to a healthy planet?

My main message would be: Every action counts. The health of our planet is a collective responsibility, and even the smallest steps can lead to significant positive changes. By adopting more sustainable lifestyles, making conscious choices about how we consume, travel, and use resources, and supporting policies and practices that protect the environment, we can all contribute to a healthier planet. It’s about being mindful of the impact our actions have on the world and understanding that together, through a myriad of small changes, we can make a big difference. Let’s embrace sustainability not just as a concept, but as a daily practice, and inspire others to do the same.

A final word?

Hope. Amidst the challenges facing our planet, hope is the driving force that can inspire action, innovation, and collaboration. It reminds us that change is possible when we come together, armed with determination and compassion for the world we share. Let hope guide us towards a sustainable future, where each of us plays a part in nurturing and protecting our planet for generations to come.