Page 50 - Berita Sunway - Issue 74

Sustainability
CONNECTING THE DOTS

E
BETWEEN PLANET & PEOPLE

R aging wildfires, typhoons, and flooding – extreme weather HEALTHY PLANET, HEALTHY PEOPLE reimagine and rebuild. e pre-pandemic
“Every crisis is an opportunity to
events are some of the effects of climate change that are

e concept of planetary health, a term pioneered by e
occurring at unprecedented levels around the world and will
only increase in severity and frequency as global temperatures rise. Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on Planetary Health in ‘normal’ was, and is, simply unsustainable
e Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth 2015, recognises that human health and the health of our planet are and ultimately toxic. We are simply living
Assessment Report warns that unless greenhouse gas emissions are inextricably linked, and that the health human civilisation depends on way beyond what Earth can realistically
reduced in large-scale proportions, rapidly and immediately, it will be flourishing natural systems and the wise stewardship of natural resources. support,” she said.
impossible for countries to cap global warming at 1.5°C or even 2°C “Planetary health recognises the need to better manage our home – Unlike the healthcare system’s capacity
above pre-industrial levels. planet Earth – its political, economic and social systems. It is the that can be increased via adding hospital beds
e dangers of ignoring the planet’s health ultimately boil down to achievement of the highest attainable standard of health, wellbeing, or recruiting more healthcare workers, Earth’s
a question of human survival, according to Sunway Centre for and equity worldwide that we should, and must, strive for,” said capacity is non-negotiable.
Planetary Health’s professor and executive director Tan Sri Dr. Dr. Jemilah. “Planetary boundaries – the limits of the
Jemilah Mahmood. Hospitals and the medical care system make up only a small part of Earth’s resources - cannot be stretched and altered
“Conversations on the climate crisis often depict a planet that human health and longevity – the larger portion comes from – they are finite. It is we, the population of the
desperately needs saving. is is simply not true. e planet will carry community interventions beyond health – behaviour change, dietary planet, that must rapidly adjust our expectations of
on, perhaps a little battered by the damage we have caused. It is us, the improvements, and social and environmental factors, she said. what Earth can sustainably provide us,” she said.
human race, that may not,” said Dr. Jemilah, who is also a trustee of “Every sector that supports our existence is in some way a health
the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation and former special advisor to the sector,” she said. PIONEERING PLANETARY HEALTH
Malaysian prime minister on public health. So why should we focus on planetary health during a global IN THE REGION
“ e planet may have survived dramatic changes before in its pandemic?
history of over four billion years, and different life forms have evolved Dr. Jemilah points out that human-led environmental destruction As a relatively nascent concept globally, planetary health is only
because of it. However, with the current emergency, the clear and such as deforestation and wildlife trafficking increases contact between now starting to take root in Malaysia. is is due to several challenges,
present danger is that we human beings may not be able to ride out this humans and wildlife, heightening the risk of zoonosis – disease that can such as limited awareness, a lack of political knowledge and consequent
crisis which is irrefutably of our own making,” she said. be transmitted to humans from animals. will and limited incentives to think and act differently, as well as
“Large-scale infectious disease outbreaks are likely to become governance systems that are poorly attuned to planetary health needs,
more frequent as global warming releases viruses stored in permafrost said Dr. Jemilah.
? or polar ice shields or changes the behaviour of virus-carrying “I think that the larger challenge for Malaysia lies in our collective
? mosquitoes,” she said. imagination and vision. How do we drive a longer term political, EVERY ACTION COUNTS
Normalising the planetary health approach will help build crisis economic, and social vision, moving away from focusing on short term True to the essence of planetary health, every single one of us has a
preparedness capacities globally in a systematic manner, as well as gains?” she said. collective responsibility towards the health of the environment and
PREVENTING THE encourage a crisis-preventive – rather than reactive – culture. possesses the power to make a difference.
NEXT PANDEMIC “It can start with a simple question – What is my individual carbon
footprint and what can I do to inform myself and others to change
“Planetary health recognises that?” said Dr. Jemilah.
the need to better manage our “For some of us, it may be reducing our dependency on cars by taking
home – planet Earth – its public transportation or cycling; or striving for a low-waste lifestyle. For
political, economic and social e launch of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health (SCPH) in others, it is in starting conversations with personal networks and on social
media to build influence or organise themselves for grassroots advocacy
PRIORITY systems. It is the achievement of 2021 is pivotal in getting the conversation on planetary health off the and action,” she said.
PROMOTING TACKLING the highest attainable standard of ground here in Malaysia and across our region. “And for all of us it’s about the personal choices we make about what
FAIRER THEMES THE CLIMATE health, wellbeing, and equity Based in Sunway University, the Centre aims to advance planetary we eat, what we wear, how we live. So, the next time you pick something
ECONOMIES EMERGENCY worldwide that we should, and health through education research by translating academic discourse up to buy or consume, or click the Lazada “Buy Now” button, take a
must, strive for.” into easily accessible information and facilitating collaboration second to ask yourself – is this good for me? Is it good for our planet?”
between diverse stakeholders. she added.
In its inaugural phase, SCPH will focus on Asia and the Pacific, Walking the talk of planetary health, Dr. Jemilah changed to a
Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah regions that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and pescatarian diet, grows her own vegetables at home and tracks her carbon
Mahmood other planetary health challenges. footprint via the Capture app on her mobile phone.
Sunway Centre for With the launch of the Centre, Sunway University aspires to “I also hope that through the work of this Centre I can help to ignite
Planetary Health’s professor become the first planetary health-oriented university in the world, broader knowledge and action. e opportunities to contribute to the
and executive director
further strengthening Sunway’s commitment towards advancing the protection of our planetary health are many – and each of us can play a
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. role. Time is not on our side so the moment to get engaged and involved
ACHIEVING CREATING is now,” she said.
FOOD SECURITY HEALTHY CITIES
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