Tag Archives: health

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, Climate Change, Human Health

How Much Does Climate Change Really Cost Our Health?

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The manifold impacts of climate change are also seen in the field of health in most countries. It is particularly so in Africa, whose health systems are amongst the most fragile in the world. In his paper we did a review of existing literature, an analysis of secondary data, and spatio-temporal mapping to identify patterns, challenges, and potential interventions. It showcases the degree of vulnerability of the health systems of African countries to climate change, and describes some measures aimed at increasing their resilience to climate shocks. African health systems face significant challenges due to climate change, necessitating a comprehensive approach to enhance resilience.

Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its reliance on rainfed agriculture, limited financial resources, and existing health challenges. The effects of climate change exacerbate issues such as food insecurity, water scarcity, and the spread of diseases, leading to a cyclical pattern of poverty and health deterioration. For instance, changing weather patterns can heighten the incidence of vector-borne diseases like malaria, directly impacting public health systems in African countries. International cooperation can foster the sharing of knowledge, resources, and innovative solutions to enhance resilience in vulnerable communities.

Frameworks linking climate change initiatives with health organizations such as the WHO can help develop integrated strategies aimed at mitigating health risks associated with climate variability. This could involve improving surveillance systems for disease outbreaks linked to climatic changes, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and reinforcing health infrastructure to cope with climate-related emergencies.

Moreover, such cooperation would encourage investments in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. By pooling resources and expertise, countries can effectively tackle the multi-faceted challenges posed by climate change.

Building partnerships between African governments, international organizations, and local communities can lead to a more coordinated approach in combating the adverse impacts of climate change while safeguarding public health. Ultimately, strengthening these links will not only address immediate challenges but also promote sustainable development in the face of ongoing climate variability.

Read the full paper here: Filho, W. L., Gbaguidi, G.J., Diarrassouba, W. and Martens, P. (2025). Money for health: handling the costs of climate change to African health systems. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition , 44:86. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00802-9

Animal well-being, Biodiversity, Climate Change, COVID-19, Human Health, Sustainable Development, zoonoses

Our sustainability challenges: climate change, health, and animal well-being

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The lecture by Prof. Pim Martens, given Monday June 15th

Our dominant current socio-economic and political systems have become decoupled from the larger ecology of life, and our relationship with our natural environment and the animals within has changed dramatically. This has led to various outbreaks of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases – with COVID-19 as the hard lesson learned (or not?). In this lecture, Pim Martens, Professor of Sustainable Development at Maastricht University, will discuss the complexities and connections between our own well-being and that of the animals with whom we live, and global environmental changes like climate change and biodiversity loss.