New study bolsters support for EPA regulation of greenhouse gases
An exhaustive review of hundreds of scientific papers on climate change published since 2009 bolsters evidence that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane are dangerous to human health. The study, published in Science and co-authored by…
Predicting the nutritional value of fish
Fish that are genetically related have similar nutritional content, according to a new study co-led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Food security expert Bapu Vaitla, a visiting scientist at Harvard Chan School, and colleagues studied…
As carbon dioxide levels climb, millions at risk of nutritional deficiencies
For immediate release: August 27, 2018 Boston, MA – Rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) from human activity are making staple crops such as rice and wheat less nutritious and could result in 175 million people becoming zinc…
Major crops lose nutrients when grown in elevated carbon dioxide levels
Rice, wheat, and other staple crops lose nutrients when exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to recent studies.
Samuel Myers named Arrell Global Food Innovation research award recipient
Samuel Myers of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has been named the inaugural recipient of the Arrell Global Food Innovation research award. The $100,000 prize, which will be awarded by the Arrell Food Institute at the…
Humans activities are disrupting the planet—and threatening our health
Human activities—the burning of fossil fuels, extensive land and water use, overfishing, deforestation—have been increasingly disruptive to Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and land surface over the past 50 years, and these disruptions pose serious threats to human health and…
Carbon dioxide emissions threaten nutritional value of staple crops
The projected rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the coming decades may diminish the nutritional value of staple crops, putting the health of more than 100 million of the world’s most vulnerable people at risk. Samuel…
Planetary health is public health
Sam Myers, senior research scientist in the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, propose a “planetary health” framework for thinking about threats to the health of the Earth and its people.
Millions may face protein deficiency as a result of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions
If CO2 levels continue to rise as projected, the populations of 18 countries may lose more than 5% of their dietary protein by 2050 due to a decline in the nutritional value of rice, wheat, and other staple…
Rising CO2 emissions may increase global iron deficiency risk
Global iron deficiency—already a significant problem—may increase along with rising levels of human-generated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. There are 1.4 billion children under age 5…