ABSTRACT
Human societies exist in an ecological context upon which they are dependent on air, water, food, and health. In this chapter, we describe a framework for identifying types of environmental degradation, called the ‘planetary boundaries’, and their effects on human health. We then examine the causes of the degradation, from European colonialism to the industrial revolution and global capitalism. We also consider ways to safeguard the health of people, and of the planet simultaneously, from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, to the re-framing of global public health as ‘planetary’ health. Finally, we describe an example of a grassroots initiative to ensure basic needs within ecological limits.
