Topic outline
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Welcome to the Planetary Health Education Toolbox
Planetary Health Education (PHE) has been rapidly expanding across the globe with various courses, lecture webinars, and academic initiatives emerging. The SOPHEA project strives to support Planetary Health Education (PHE) and research in Africa with a focus on the East African region but also beyond by compiling context relevant learning materials such as background documents, presentations, lecture recordings, case studies and others. We want to enable those learners and teachers committed to implement PHE at their faculty by providing guidance and materials to develop their own Planetary Health curriculum, integrate aspects of Planetary Health into existing lectures or increase their knowledge through self-paced learning.
How to use the PHE Toolbox:
The Planetary Health Toolbox video below provides a summary of the toolbox sections and respective descriptions outlining the thematic relevance within the framework of Planetary Health and its particular geographical importance. Within each section you find sub-sections: background documents (URL links and PDF), case studies, slides and videos.
Let's grow the PHE Toolbox together ! Our objective is to have the toolbox grow by integrating more materials suggested or submitted by you! All users are welcome to submit your project, case study, your PowerPoint Presentation or information on further content to be included in the SOPHEA PHE Toolbox.
Please fill out our short Evaluation form to give us feedback and suggest further material; or get in touch with us via e-mail (planetaryhealth@ukw.de).
We hope the SOPHEA PHE Toolbox is useful to support your engagement on Planetary Health and your initiative to motivate others for getting engaged, active and transformative! Together we can make a change!
The SOPHEA Team
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Planetary health is 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.” The impact of human activities on the planetary enivornment requires a concept of health that takes into account changing global conditions and their significance for prevention, disease, therapy and epidemiology within the framework of interdisciplinary approaches. Based on the definition by the Planetary Health Alliance this toolbox category provides an overview and introduction to the concept of Planetary Health touching on the historical background and relevant scientific aspects (e.g. anthropocene, planetary boundaries, tipping points, implications to health and well-being, co-benefits, vulnerable groups, climate justice, ethical considerations, Loss and Damage, etc.).
This category serves as the foundation for the other toolbox categories and is essential for the learning experience through the toolbox as a whole.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to describe the basic concept of Planetary Health.
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Learners will be able to explain the interrelation of environmental changes and their effects on human health and well-being.
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Our world is made of complex networks of living things and physical elements that constantly interact and affect each other. Such networks are known as “ecosystems”. Healthy and economically important ecosystems such as temperate forests, wetlands, grasslands, coastal zones, coral reefs, and rainforests all play roles in human life. Biodiversity underpins all life on Earth, and refers to biological variety in all its forms, from the genetic makeup of plants and animals to cultural diversity.
People depend on biodiversity and ecosystems in their daily lives, in ways that are not always apparent. Human health ultimately depends upon ecosystem products and services (such as availability of freshwater, food and fuel sources) which are requisites for good human health and productive livelihoods. Biodiversity loss can have significant direct human health impacts if ecosystem services are no longer adequate to meet social needs. Indirectly, changes in ecosystem services affect livelihoods, income, local migration and, on occasion, may even cause or exacerbate political conflict.
This category comprises various materials on ecosystems and biodiversity and their interconnectedness to health. While environmental degradation has negative consequences for human well-being, nature based solutions can contribute to mitigative and adaptive interventions in the fight against the planetary crisis.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to describe the negative consequences of environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity on human health and well-being.
- Learners will be able to illustrate nature-based solutions and their potential value as mitigative and adaptive interventions.
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2019 and 2021 were among the four warmest years on record for the African continent- a trend that is expected to continue.
Extensive areas of Africa will exceed 2 °C of warming above pre-industrial levels by the last two decades of this century under medium scenarios. Much of Africa has already warmed by more than 1 °C since 1901, with an increase in heatwaves and hot days combined with a reduction of precipitation.
Referring to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), mortality and morbidity will rise with further global warming of more than 2 degrees Celsius, which also lead to an increase in the spread of vector-borne diseases, especially i western, eastern and southern Africa.
High temperatures cause heat stress on humans, livestock, crops and infrastructure. Extremes of temperature are common in Africa and infrastructure is often incapable of providing adequate cooling. Long Periods of high temperatures can lead to cumulative physiological stress which aggravates respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus,renal disease and many other potential health risks.
The category explores the connection of climate caused temperature rise and heattwaves in Africa and its implications on health, economy, agriculture and livelihoods- all existential parameters for human existence, socio-economic determinants of health and key factors for resilience.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to describe heat-related consequences to human and animal health.
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Learners will be able to explain mitigation and adaptation strategies to global temperature rise heat waves.
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Pollution is a massive, overlooked cause of disease, death and environmental degradation. In 2015 pollution-related disease (PRD) caused 9 million premature deaths – three times as many deaths are caused by AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. 92% of PRD occurs in low and middle-income countries. Ambient air, chemical and soil pollution are all on the rise, and non-communicable diseases (NCD) caused by these forms of pollution are increasing. Pollution and climate change are closely linked; both arise from the same sources, and both can be controlled by similar solutions providing a critical potential for mitigating and adaptive measures and related co-benefits. The African continent faces some of the most severe health impact wordwide caused by air pollution. In 2019, 14% of child deaths under 5 across Africa were related to air pollution. The high risk for children is caused by air pollution in the household due to the use of solid fuels for cooking.
The category sheds light on pollution as part of the triple planetary crisis, its implications for health and solution pathways.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to recognize the negative health consequences of environmental pollution.
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Learners will be able to describe the solution pathways of pollution and the associated health co-benefits.
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Globally, food insecurity is rising and has affected 2 billion people in 2019. Around 45% of deaths of children younger than 5 years are linked to undernutrition occurring mainly in low- and middle-income countries. Nowadays, conflict, climate change and extreme weather events, combined with economic challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, are major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition around the world, but particularly on the African continent. Agriculture is at the forefront of finding solutions to food insecurity and tackling global hunger and malnutrition. Agricultural production must be increased to meet rising demand and ensure food security, while maintaining the interface between animals, humans and the ecosystem
Simultaneously, the global food system is responsible for about 26% of all greenhouse gas emissions and thus transformation of this system is highly important in the fight against climate crisis.
The category provides an insight on the complex interdependencies of nutrition, agriculture and health with in depth information on the East African region and how climate smart agriculture and shifts from meat based to plant based diets can have mitigative effects and contribute to positive health outcomes (co-benefits).
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to recognize the complex interdependencies of nutrition, agriculture and health in the context of East Africa.
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Learners will be able to identify climate smart agriculture and shifts from meat-based to plant-based diets as mitigative effects which contribute to positive health outcomes (co-benefits).
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Globally, food insecurity is rising and has affected 2 billion people in 2019. Around 45% of deaths of children younger than 5 years are linked to undernutrition occurring mainly in low- and middle-income countries. Nowadays, conflict, climate change and extreme weather events, combined with economic challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, are major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition around the world, but particularly on the African continent.
Simultaneously, the global food system is responsible for about 26% of all greenhouse gas emissions and thus transformation of this system is highly important in the fight against climate crisis.
The category provides an insight on the complex interdependencies of nutrition, agriculture and health with in depth information on the EastAfrican region and how climate smart agriculture and shifts from meat based to plant based diets can have mitigative effects and contribute to positive health outcomes (co-benefits).
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to recognize the complex interdependencies of nutrition, agriculture and health in the context of East Africa.
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Learners will be able to identify climate smart agriculture and shifts from meat-based to plant-based diets as mitigative effects which contribute to positive health outcomes (co-benefits).
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Changing climate and environmental conditions modify the ecological habitat and with it the suitability for the transmission of many water-borne, air-borne, food-borne, and vector-borne pathogens. Beside an increase in the incidence of for example hepatitis, viral gastroenteritis and cholera, vectors transmitting disease such as malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease are on the rise globally with prolonged transmission periods and spread to new geographical areas. Shifts in the prevalence of infectious diseases not only reflect the effects of temperature, humidity and other weather-related phenomena on pathogens, vectors and animal hosts, but are also part of a nexus of social and environmental factors influenced by climate change, including land use, migration and vector control
This category provides a selection of educational material as overview to climate sensitive infectious diseases on the one hand and a planetary health lens to specific infectious diseases relevant to the East African context, such as Schistosomiasis. This will enable users to expand on the classic view and understanding of infectious diseases towards other related aspects, such as fertilizer use, eutrophication, changes in the lake ecosystems, and connections with population growth and consumption patterns.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to apply a planetary health lens to climate sensitive infectious diseases.
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Learners will be able to outline the context-specific challenges of infectious diseases arising from the planetary crisis and will be able to identify adaption measures.
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NCDs and climate change are intrinsically linked, each posing significant threats to health and sustainable development. Due to their similar route courses, mainly the compassion of fossil fuels, they can be addressed in tandem and benefit the environment and human health at the same time (co-benefits). NCD's, especially caridovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases cause 74% of deaths worldwide. Key areas for co-benefit action exist across energy production, transport systems, and food systems. These sectors are leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to air pollution and global warming. Outdoor air pollution alone is responsible for 3.7million deaths annually, due to cancer, respiratory disease, and cardiovascular disease. Emissions can be reduced through transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, promoting active transport such as walking and cycling, and enabling access to locally produced, unprocessed, plant-based diets. These latter two interventions also serve to combat physical inactivity and poor nutrition.
The category provides materials on the interlinkages of NCDs and the planetary crisis and solution pathways for co-benefits with a focus on the African context.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to give examples for the linkages between non-communicable diseases and the planetary crisis.
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Learners will be able to illustrate the co-benefits of climate action for non-communicable diseases in the East African context.
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Around the world, people experience multiple climate-related impacts such as severe drought, flooding, air pollution and water scarcity, leaving their children vulnerable to malnutrition and disease. Almost every child on earth is exposed to at least one of these climate and environmental hazards. Approximately 1 billion children are at an 'extremely high risk' of the impacts of the climate crisis. These children experience multiple climate shocks combined with poor essential services such as water, sanitation and healthcare. Children are being forced to grow up in an increasingly dangerous world. This is a crisis that threatens their health, nutrition, education, development, survival and future.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to recognize the particular vulnerability of children to the planetary crisis.
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Learners will be able to discuss the contextual environmental challenges for children.
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From changing temperatures and weather patterns to more severe storms and rising sea levels, the effects of climate change are impacting all of us. At the forefront are the poor and most vulnerable, among them women and girls who are disproportionately affected regarding their sexual and reproductive health and rights, including maternal and neonatal health outcomes, gender based violence and socio-economical opportunities, e.g. schooling. While being disproportionately affected, their ability to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate and environment are mediated by persisting gender inequalities. Simultaneously, female voices, especially those from LMICs, are systematically under-represented at all levels of decision-making and constitute an untapped potential in fighting the planetary crisis.
The category provides materials reflecting on climate and environmental implications on women’s health and gender dynamics as a form of socio-economic determinant of health.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to explain implications of climate and environmental changes on women's health.
- Learners will be able to construct the implications of gender dynamics in planetary health as an important socio-economic determinant of health.
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The planetary crisis along with global warming, extreme weather events and threats to health and livelihoods poses existential threats. While environmental implications vary from context to context and vulnerabilities depend also on geopolitical factors and socio-economical determinants, populations, systems and institutions in LMICs have limited capacity to adapt to the crisis. Communities are more vulnerable to climate related impacts, scarcity of resources, poverty, weak governance and the threat of terrorism – all potential factors to trigger conflict and displacement. The Lake Chad basin, Mali, Ethiopia, and Somalia are only a few examples of complex prolonged humanitarian crises triggered by climate change and its environmental impacts. Migration as a frequent coping mechanism of individuals and communities is expected to further increase in the years to come.
The category offers resources on the interplay between the planetary health crisis, health and migration. It empowers learners to apply a planetary health perspective to the complex factors influencing migration and displacement.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to explain the complex relation of the planetary crisis, health and migration.
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Learners will be able to apply a planetary health lens to the complex factors behind migration and displacement.
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Climate change, related weather events and environmental impacts affect directly and indirectly the physical and psychological well-being of individuals and communities. Increasing awareness and evidence is arising on the mental health consequences of climate change in LMICs, and a significant proportion of people in society who are experiencing a harmful level of anxiety associated with global warming, extreme weather events, rising sea levels, wildfires, etc.
Climate communication strives to translate climate science into climate action by unpacking the relationship of climate and environmental disruption, human behavior and psychological responses to the environmental changes around us.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to illustrate the relationship between climate and environmental disruption, human behavior and psychological responses to the climate crisis.
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Learners will be able to guide a discussion on the planetary health crisis.
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For over 350 million indigenous peoples worldwide, climate change impacts are expected to be early and severe due to their location in high risk environments. This includes nomadic pastoralists living along desert margins, fishers in small and low-lying islands, farmers and pastoralists in high-altitude zones and hunters, herders and others.
To face these challenges, indigenous peoples are mobilizing their in-depth traditional knowledge of territories that have been the source of their livelihoods for generations. Indigenous and traditional knowledge operates at a much finer spatial and temporal scale than science, and includes understandings of how to cope with and adapt to environmental variability and trends. Indigenous knowledge thus makes an important contribution to climate change policy and action (SDG 13). Combining scientific and indigenous and traditional knowledge can create opportunities and improve decision making.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to describe the value of indigenous and traditional knowledge and how it can be incorporated when tackling the planetary health crisis.
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Learners appraise indigenous and traditional knowledge complementary to science and critical for mitigative and adaptive measures.
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The health system plays a notable role in the society with impacts on both public health and the health of individuals. Green Healthcare implies practices that are environment friendly within the healthcare sector with the focus of reducing ecological footprint. These practices can include sustainable management of waste, use of engery efficient facilities and adoption of eco-friendly medical technologies. The adoption of these practices enhances the contribution of health systems to improve health outcomes and a healthier planet.
The health sector, whose mission is protecting and promoting health, is a major global contributor to the climate crisis. While the global health care’s climate footprint is equivalent to 4.4% of global net emissions it also takes responsibility for high consumption of natural resources, waste production and pollution e.g. pharmaceutical pollution, antibiotic resistance and others.
Besides, climate and environmental related challenges affect not only individual or population health, but force health systems to respond to these challenges while experiencing immense and immediate impact on all functions of a health system. Therefore, strengthening health system resilience and reducing the environmental footprint of the sector are critical steps for health sector transformation.
The category provides materials on the climate and environmental implications for health systems, the health care’s ecological footprint and resilient, environmentally smart health care systems.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to analyze the environmental impact of the planetary crisis on health systems and describe the environmental footprint of the healthcare sector.
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Learners will be able to identify transformative action for mitigation and adaptation within the health care sector.
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The interaction between our global economy and planetary health is a dynamic and complex relationship, centred on economic activities and systems that impact the overall health and sustainability of the planet. Economic decisions such as resource allocation, consumption patterns and industrial practices have profound consequences for the environment, including climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution. The concept of climate justice calls for an intersectional approach to adress such factors in a holistic way as it acknowledges and highlights the disproportional impacts of climate change globally.
In general, climate change is having an increasingly large impact on the global economy. Projections suggest that the global economy could decline by 10% by 2050 if emissions reduction targets are not reached. Specifically for health economics, climate change carries several risks, such as heat-related diseases, respiratory problems, vector-borne diseases and mental health problems. Climate change-attributed economic costs from extreme weather events vary between 0.05% to 0.82% of global gross domestic product (GDP) annually. East Africa is one of the regions most affected by climate change worldwide. Especially fragile states, like Somalia or Sudan suffer extremely from climate-related shocks although they contributed the least to climate change. Droughts in fragile states are expected to cut about 0.2 percentage points from their per-capita GDP growth every year.
The category gives an overview on the impact of our current global economy systems on planetary health as a whole and explores how a transition towards more sustainable economic models and a climate just world could look like.
Learning objectives:
- Learners will be able to recognize the linkage between economics and planetary health and discuss strategies for a new global economic system.
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Learners will be able to describe the principals of climate justice.
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Education and research are key drivers for transformation. Educational institutions have a unique role to play in shaping our futures and developing professional competencies to support this future. Embedding planetary health education in curricula is an essential step to achieving the transformative change needed to respond to the planetary crisis and equip learners to protect and restore planetary health and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Based on the PHE Framework and its 12 cross-cutting principles of planetary health education this category provides students and teachers with background material on e.g. PHE, Education for Sustainable Development, Transformative Education, but also practical guidelines and frameworks when developing and realizing educational activities, e.g. How to build your own planetary health course, a blueprint for a week seminar, etc.).
The goal of this section is to provide you with guidance and examples of how educators at institutions around the world have designed their courses, so that you are able to develop a rich and rigorous course for your own context.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to describe the fundamental principles of Planetary Health Education.
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Learners will be able to choose and apply relevant tools to design their own Planetary Health Course.
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Antropocenic lifestyles mainly based on overconsumption, burning of fossil fuels and environmental degradation are making us ill and are destroying the planet. But people can only be healthy and strive on a healthy planet. To manage the massive implications and challenges related to the planetary crisis an urgent civilizational transformation is needed for planetary health through deep, broad, and rapid society‐wide changes on the road to the 1.5°C limit of the Paris Agreement.
Under this category users can find materials elaborating on the concept of socio-economical transformation within the planetary boundaries towards a sustainable future and find examples for transformative action applicable to the African context. The objective of this category is to demonstrate the “Action challenge” as it contracts with “the knowledge gap” using examples of transformative approaches within the region.
Learning objectives:
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Learners will be able to outline characteristics of Planetary Health Education as a critical social tipping element.
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Learners will be able to discuss the socio-economic changes required for a healthy future on a healthy planet by choosing examples from the East African region.
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