If climate change, biodiversity loss and other environmental changes continue unabated, billions of people will face serious health risks by the end of this century resulting from heat stress, flooding, food shortages, infectious diseases, migration and conflicts. Research examining the connection between such environmental changes and human health (the field of study known as Planetary Health) is still in its infancy. In a report published in June 2023, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) reviews existing scientific knowledge in this area and offers a list of questions for researchers to address. The direct health effects of these environmental changes are often clear, but the indirect effects are much more difficult to study, even though they are likely to impact many more people. In the report 'Planetary Health. An emerging field to be developed' the Academy surveys the knowledge gaps and identifies where progress can be made in filling them.
The direct health effects of these environmental changes are often clear, but the indirect effects are much more difficult to study, even though they are likely to impact many more people. In its report, the Academy surveys the knowledge gaps and identifies where progress can be made in filling them. Key research questions include the following: What is the effect of climate change, deforestation and biodiversity loss on the spread of infectious diseases? How can societies adapt to more frequent extreme weather events, sea level rise and other climate change-related risks in order to avoid their health consequences? And how can international environmental treaties help advance the Netherlands’ national health policies?
