As climate crises and environmental degradation intensify, understanding the interconnections between human health and planetary well-being has never been more crucial. From July 21 – 25, delegates from the CATA-Earth consortium attended the Utrecht Summer School Course Planetary Health: Toward Just Futures. The course, which was opened to all with an interest in planetary health and climate justice, offered an interdisciplinary platform to examine the health impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and global inequalities, emphasizing the need for holistic solutions.

The overall goal of the course was to cultivate responsibility and agency in tackling the urgent challenges of our time. In achieving this goal, participants explored the broader planetary health crisis, including the societal inequities in health outcomes, resource access, and political power. Through case studies and the latest research, the course encouraged transformative thinking and exploration of personal and institutional roles as academics, professionals, and change-makers. 

The five-day program combined expert lectures, case study work, workshops, and reflective discussions. Participants engaged in group projects, analyzing complex, real-world situations through systems thinking and justice lenses, culminating in final presentations with peer and instructor feedback.

Program Highlights:

Day 1: Introduction to planetary health; ecological drivers of health crises; the exposome concept.

Day 2: Biodiversity and ecological processes; corporate power and health equity.

Day 3: Global health governance; urban WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) challenges; mental health impacts of climate change.

Day 4: Decolonial perspectives on climate policy; pathways to climate justice.

Day 5: Alternative and degrowth economies; designing practical health-climate solutions.