I am currently writing this during the Sunday of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. I am extremely lucky to have not yet been impacted by the events of this natural disaster.
It was only three days ago where I gave a guest lecture into the Community and Public Health course for the Masters of Dietetics students at my university. I have provided this 3-hr workshop twice now and hope to continue this advocacy in the future. This part of the curriculum is of course focused on the local, national and global impact of food systems on the health of the community. A prime example from this workshop that I used (which we are currently experiencing) is how food systems are impacted by climate events and weather extremes. The shelves at my local Aldi, Coles and Woolworths were bare in preparation for the cyclone. Flooding, loss of power and harrowing winds was expected to create destruction to individuals’ health and livelihoods – and they have. Clearly, the cyclone (which we have not experienced in 50 years on the Gold Coast) is a climate event. This climate event has impacted the local food system where families cannot plan and purchase their usual groceries or store and cook their food to a safe standard (Australian Dietary Guideline 5) – perhaps relying on ultra processed foods with long shelf life to provide their energy and nutrition needs.
There is a strong connection between the food system and planetary health, and, planetary health and human health. “The Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on Planetary Health recognizes that human health and the health of our planet are inextricably linked, and that our civilization depends on human health, flourishing natural systems, and the wise stewardship of natural resources. With natural systems being degraded to an extent unprecedented in human history, both our health and that of our planet are in peril.”
If we do not begin to change our behaviour to support a healthy and sustainable planet, we will not afford the luxury of having a healthy and sustainable food system and therefore a healthy and sustainable population. The sustainable development goals, which were developed in 2015 are 17 goals adopted by the United Nations to support a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.These goals encompass a plan to fight climate change and support planetary health. Unfortunately, now 10 years later in 2025 and less than 2000 days to achieve them, 48% of the 135 assessable targets underpinning the goals “exhibit moderate to severe deviations from the desired trajectory, with 30% showing marginal progress, 18% moderate progress, 18% indicating stagnation and 17% regressing below the 2015 baseline levels.”
The reason I am writing this journal entry is to encourage you to share a ‘Recognition of Planet’.
As people working in higher education, I permit you to download a PowerPoint slide to include in your presentation to close your meetings, speeches or events. Further, if you are an individual or group outside of the higher education industry, please feel free to also download and use this in your practice.We must recognise our opportunity to support a great food transformation and promote planetary health.
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"We recognise that we are living in a time of unprecedented environmental crisis, where the health of our planet—and all life upon it—is at risk.
As we gather here today, we want to recognise our shared responsibility to protect and restore the land, waters, and atmosphere that sustain us, including the way we grow, distribute, and consume food. Our global food system is both a driver of environmental harm and a powerful solution — one that must be transformed to nourish people and planet alike.
We commit to urgent action, informed by science, tradition, and collective stewardship, so that future generations may inherit a thriving and resilient planet."
