CHDS Seminar with Samuel Myers: Planetary Health: Health risks on a rapidly changing planet

Abstract:  Dr. Myers will introduce the field of Planetary Health—a rapidly emerging interdisciplinary field focused on understanding and addressing the human health impacts of anthropogenic disruption to most of Earth’s natural systems. He will describe how changes in climate, biodiversity, pollution, and land use, in addition to other biophysical changes, are threatening most dimensions of human health. He will also explore the implications for expanding the role of public health practitioners.

Bio:  Samuel Myers is a Principal Research Scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the founding Director of the Planetary Health Alliance, a network of over 320 organizations in 65 countries dedicated to growing the field and generating solutions.  His current research projects include exploring global health impacts of nutrient changes in staple food crops mediated by rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations; the impact of declines in animal pollinators on mortality from non-communicable diseases; and the impacts of climate change and climate shocks on food security.