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Planetary Health
Planetary Health
“The achievement of the highest attainable standard of health, wellbeing, and equity worldwide through judicious attention to the human systems—political, economic, and social—that shape the future of humanity and the Earth's natural systems that define the safe environmental limits within which humanity can flourish. Put simply, planetary health is the health of human civilisation and the state of the natural systems on which it depends” (Richard Horton & Selina Lo, 2015)
“The achievement of the highest attainable standard of health, wellbeing, and equity worldwide through judicious attention to the human systems—political, economic, and social—that shape the future of humanity and the Earth's natural systems that define the safe environmental limits within which humanity can flourish. Put simply, planetary health is the health of human civilisation and the state of the natural systems on which it depends” (Richard Horton & Selina Lo, 2015)
A Framework For Sustainable Health Systems
A Framework For Sustainable Health Systems
"The race to net zero health-care emissions is not simply a climate change mitigation strategy, but rather the capstone of a societal transition towards health and wellbeing for all. The 2020 Report of the UK Health Expert Advisory Group recommended that all climate action be taken with the goal of achieving a fair distribution of health, or “sustainable health equity”.11 Existing emissions targets are insufficient to avert catastrophic climate change and will diminish the quality of life of the next generation, while exacerbating inequalities. The health sector must chart a radically new course requiring transformational change to ensure sustainable intergenerational health equity. The mobilisation of health systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that such transformation is possible when accompanied by just political action informed by science. The time has come to usher in a new era of planetary health care, whereby health promotion and disease treatment occur within planetary boundaries and contribute to a healthier world for all"
(Andrea MacNeill & Forbes McGain, 2021)
Across Turtle Island
Across Turtle Island
"Climate change is the largest health threat facing people in Canada and around the world. Public health plays an active role responding to climate health issues and now is the time for collective action." (PHAC, 2022)
Mobilizing Public Health Action on Climate Change in Canada
Mobilizing Public Health Action on Climate Change in Canada
"Public health has made tremendous gains over the past century in improving the health and lives of people in Canada and around the world. Working with other sectors, we must build on these strengths to better prepare for and respond to what the World Health Organization calls the greatest health threat of our time." (PHAC, 2022)
Throughout the West Coast
Throughout the West Coast
"PHSA's Planetary Health team is dedicated to identifying and addressing the impacts of organizational disruption on Earth's natural systems, human health, and well-being. As a relatively new concept in Western discourse, planetary health acknowledges the interconnected relationship between human health and the health of our planet. This relationship has long been understood and honoured by the First Nations communities who have stewarded these lands for thousands of years." (PHSA, 2025)
At Vancouver Coastal
At Vancouver Coastal
"An ambitious and fundamentally collaborative initiative, Planetary Health in VCH will bring together multiple stakeholders and teams. The Energy and Environmental Sustainability team supports development of sustainable and resilient facilities. The Environmental Health Protection team works with community partners to minimize environmental impacts and support resilience in the wake of climate events. The Sustainable Clinical Services team ensures clinical decisions and processes limit their negative environmental impacts. The VCH Transformation Office provide support and manage this organization‐wide transformation as a system level strategy." (Green Care, 2022)
Partners in Progress
Partners in Progress
Energy and Environmental Sustainability Team
Energy and Environmental Sustainability Team
A network founded by the Energy and Environmental Sustainability team, GreenCare unites efforts across the B.C. health-care community to transform our health-care system toward environmentally sustainable and resilient care for healthy people, place and planet. The GreenCare website is a resource for the network and a home to communicate and celebrate all efforts.
Sustainable Clinical Services Team
Sustainable Clinical Services Team
The Planetary Healthcare Lab at the University of British Columbia examines the environmental effects of healthcare delivery and services in B.C., and generates solutions to chart a path forward to net zero emissions.
Environmental Health Protection
Environmental Health Protection
VCH's Healthy Environments team focuses on preventing illness and promoting health and well-being in our communities. They work to improve health outcomes linked to physical and environmental factors such as climate change, noise and air pollution, community design, and more. They do so through community partnerships, research, policy input and review, and education.
Health ADAPT
Health ADAPT
HealthADAPT is a multi-year capacity-building program managed by Health Canada. The program supports the human health and well-being objectives of the Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
In Fraser Salish
In Fraser Salish
"The climate and ecological crisis is a big problem that affects how healthy we are. It is the most important health challenge we face in this century. We’ve already seen really bad things happen because of it, such as wildfires, super hot weather and floods. These things make us sick, so it’s not just about the environment, it’s also about our health." (FHA, 2023)
Planetary Health Strategy
Planetary Health Strategy
Fraser Health has a created a Planetary Health department, implemented a Planetary Health Strategy, and empowered a cross-departmental Anchor Approach Working group, setting an example for other Anchor Institutions.
In the Interior
In the Interior
"IH [Interior Health] is committed to being a leader in initiating change towards a healthy and resilient health-care system that equitably contributes to the well-being of our populations, staff and communities, and the sustainability of our planet. It's a key element in proactively preparing for and mitigating the health impacts of a changing climate." (IH, 2024)
Climate Change & Sustainability Roadmap
Climate Change & Sustainability Roadmap
"As a health-care organization, we use energy, materials and equipment that produce waste and emissions to deliver health-care services for you. Minimizing our environmental footprint, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and considering how we adapt to climate change is a priority to our teams, patients, communities and many other partners we work with every day.
Importantly, we are improving our environmental footprint not only to mitigate the effects of climate change, but because we understand the link between climate change and health. A healthy planet supports healthy people." (IH, 2024)
On the Island
On the Island
“We have a huge role to play—we are the biggest employer on Vancouver Island. We absolutely have a role in planetary health because our environment is creating health hazards and health risks to our population" (ISLH, 2024)
Climate Change & Planetary Health Strategy
Climate Change & Planetary Health Strategy
"Addressing climate change is one of Island Health’s top priorities, and is a key part of our Strategic Framework and Annual Plan. Climate change impacts all of us – and we can all help Island Health take action to address climate change and planetary health." (ISLH)
In the North
In the North
“The impacts of climate change on human health and the health system are far reaching and well documented"(NHA, 2023).
Climate Change Accountability
Climate Change Accountability
"The lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic, and increased frequency
of what used to be once-in-a-generation weather events, have shown
that Health Authorities across BC have to be more prepared for, and
effective at dealing with, impacts from climate change. Whether it is
extreme heat like that seen province-wide during the 2021 heat dome,
or severe flooding during the same year in the Lower Mainland – what
is sure is that our people and buildings need resilience to face these
challenges head on." (NHA, 2023)
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
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