The Planetary Health Alliance defines planetary health as: a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field and social movement focused on analyzing and addressing the impacts of human disruptions to Earth’s natural systems on human health and all life on Earth.
Planetary Health encompasses the vitality of the thin layer of life, only 20 miles thick, from the bottom of the sea to the top of the atmosphere. It is dependent upon the health of all of life, including humans, and recognizes that our wellbeing and the wellbeing of the planet are deeply interconnected.
Pathways to Planetary Health (PPH) is the Garrison Institute’s signature environmental initiative. PPH helps advance the field of planetary health, building upon nearly two decades of experience developing practical, scalable solutions to global environmental issues by integrating the physical and behavioral sciences, the relational world view inherent in contemplative and indigenous traditions, and a moral view seeking to optimize the regenerative capacity of all of life on Earth.
PPH initiates projects, conducts research, hosts public forums, run leadership programs, and organizes courses to advance planetary health. By sharing our understanding of the actions required to address this pressing issue, we aim to change mindsets and outcomes.
Our work is guided by four pathways:
- Biodiversity Stewardship: Biodiversity is the extraordinary variety and interdependence of life on Earth. This magnificent breadth and complexity of our natural world generates its adaptability and resilience. It is the ecological foundation of planetary health. We work to protect and regenerate biodiversity in collaboration with NGOs, businesses, and communities.
- Ecological Civilization: Human production and consumption of energy, food, buildings, transportation and the other elements of development has an enormous impact on the planet. Our current practices exceed the boundaries of planetary health. An ecological civilization aligns its means of production and consumption with the ecological processes of the Earth. We research and promote the development of regenerative human systems that improve planetary health and wellbeing of all life.
- Regenerative Economics: We explore emerging economic systems that seek to enhance planetary health, aligning the wellbeing of financial systems, people and their communities, and the planet.
- Common Good: The common good is a recognition of shared benefit and responsibility across peoples, species and generations. Pope Francis best outlined this ethic in his encyclical Laudato Si on the environment and human ecology, which called for a universal communion that “excludes nothing and no one.” In such a society, the fundamental value system is one that treats every element—from organisms in the soil to humanity itself—with equal respect and care.
The PPH program explores each of the four pathways and seeks to integrate them into actionable projects.
To learn about ways to support our work, please contact Yori Hook, Biodiversity Program Associate, Pathways to Planetary Health, at yori@garrisoninstitute.org.
Resources
World Economic Forum:
Biodiversity Credits: Unlocking Financial Markets for Nature-Positive Outcomes
September 2022
This recent World Economic Forum paper explores the application of voluntary biodiversity credit markets through case studies that represent initiatives at both the country and global level. Country-specific examples highlight programs from New Zealand, Australia, and Columbia. This research offers insights into the factors that contribute to successful biodiversity credit markets and suggestions for next steps to address biodiversity loss.
Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi):
The SBTi launches the world’s first standard method to cover land-related emissions and removals
September 28, 2022
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global program that helps businesses meet emissions reduction targets. SBTi recently launched the world’s first standard method for companies to set science-based targets, which includes both land-based emission reductions and removals. This initiative focuses on land-intensive sectors like agriculture and forestry and prioritizes practices that reduce deforestation and protect natural carbon sinks.
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