If we are to counter the accelerating global biodiversity crisis, protecting the richest and the largest areas of undamaged nature should be among our highest priorities. Tropical forests contain an estimated 80% of terrestrial biodiversity, much of it undocumented, and their wholesale degradation or conversion into pastures or cropland must be reduced and as soon as possible eliminated altogether. Since
Read moreDuring a career making documentary films about environmental topics, I have frequently interviewed farmers and foresters. They have always struck me as having a proprietorial view of the countryside based on a clear belief that they were not only technical experts but also the true ‘custodians of the natural world’ – their mission apparently to defend it from changes to
Read moreCollagen, in powdered form is one of the developed world’s most popular health supplements – a business worth an estimated $4.7 billion in 2022. Recommended by several leading lifestyle influencers a daily dose is claimed to work wonders for hair, skin, nails and joints. In addition, due to its ‘excellent blending properties and ‘smooth flowability’ it is increasingly used as
Read moreI worked for three decades as an emergency (ER) physician. I kind of fell into the job at the suggestion of a medical school classmate after returning from Nepal in 1977. Upon completing medical school in 1973 and doing a year’s internship at Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal I headed off to Nepal where I helped set up a community
Read moreIn March a year ago I wrote about the status of health in the United States and its poor outcomes compared to other rich and not-so-rich nations. I then went on to point out the political nature of health production in a society. The evidence on how people in America die far too young has been receiving some attention by
Read moreMarch 16, 2023 Are there any benefits to having adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)? What we explored in Blog #12 suggested mostly harms. In the clinical setting suggesting that people be screened for ACEs is sometimes met with asking why do it when there is no treatment for them. Within clinical medicine there tends to be a reluctance to look for
Read moreFebruary 16, 2023 In his book, “American Exceptionalism”, Seymour Martin Lipsett wrote that “”it is impossible to understand a country without seeing how it varies from others. Those who know only one country know no country.” We ended the last blog pointing out the importance of political choices a society makes that strongly influence its health using as examples U.S.
Read moreMarch 9, 2023 As I indicated last month (Blog #11), authorities around the world are becoming increasingly concerned about the likely impact of climate change on cities and city life, especially the effects of extreme weather events. A month’s rain fell in a single hour recently in Auckland, New Zealand; few cities could cope with this kind of assault, but
Read moreMilner on Biodiversity Blog #11 “Urban Tree-planting” Planetary Health Weekly Edward Milner, February 9, 2023 In midwinter the prospect of a long hot summer may look inviting, but I advise caution: be careful what you wish for. While the thrust of international gatherings like recent COP meetings in Egypt and Canada and headline writers of the popular press are all
Read moreThe new year brings new information and a new perspective on planetary health. We ended last year looking at adverse childhood experiences. This blog will begin with the latest vital signs for human health on the planet and then delve into political directions to heal the situation. In October’s blog the latest health Olympics ranking for 2021 were revealed showing
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PLANETARY HEALTH WEEKLY 