Hope for tomorrow: Let us shape future leaders who are not only well-trained in their chosen profession but also mindful of how their work affects the environment and the planet. - 123rf.com
Every living thing is connected – this is the basic premise of the “One Health” concept espoused by the World Health Organization (WHO), in which human, animal and planetary health are inextricably linked and – most significantly – interdependent.
From this perspective, we cannot afford to distance ourselves from environmental discussions, as we are not immune to the widespread consequences of human behaviour.
Understandably, planetary health, climate change and associated issues like loss of biodiversity and diminishing food and water security can sometimes feel like distant concerns, especially in the hustle and bustle of daily life.
After all, many of us enjoy access to electricity, clean water, plumbing and sanitation, alongside abundant food and retail options.
However, when we fail to connect our daily actions and choices to environmental outcomes, the consequences can be dire, from the recurring haze and floods to the rising cost of food, fuel and other necessities.
Moving from individualism to interdependency, life as we know it today, is the result of many years of development hence our lifestyle habits and values are as firmly entrenched as the economic systems that encourage overconsumption of finite resources.
To curb the momentum of these well-established systems and their impact on the planet without jeopardising livelihoods is a monumental challenge, and one that requires a significant shift, from one-track linear thinking – where issues are viewed in isolation with one cause and one effect – to systems thinking, which considers the entire ecosystem, and promotes critical and analytical approaches to problem-solving.
The way we practice medicine offers an ideal example. Imagine if doctors only took the narrow view of treating a patient’s ailment without considering the impact of other factors.
Treating the symptoms without addressing these factors would indirectly cause the problem to persist. Thereafter, the patient would continue to suffer and require more and more care as time progresses.
This is simply not sustainable and would place continued strain on healthcare resources and incur an ever-increasing burden on the patient as well as the planet.
Clearly, it is insufficient for healthcare practitioners to view disease independently of the patient’s internal and external environment and how these factors affect their health; we need to see the connection and get to the root of the problem so we can treat the patient effectively.
This approach – to look at the entire system holistically – is applicable across the board, in the way we live our lives, what we teach, the way businesses are run, and how government policies are implemented.
Steep learning curve
We must take up the challenge to continuously learn about our role in safeguarding our very existence on this planet, and to pass this knowledge on to the next generation.
We must acknowledge our role as custodians of the only home we have and to lead by example.
Let us use the knowledge we have and the knowledge we gain – regardless of age or seniority – to make a difference today while planting seeds for the future.
Let us elevate the curriculum to encourage a broader, more comprehensive approach to planetary health that includes critical thinking, problem-solving skills and a willingness to collaborate with others in a way that places planetary health on par with profit.
Let us shape future leaders and ensure that they are not only well-trained in their chosen profession but also mindful of how their work affects the environment and the planet.
Most importantly, let us remember that care of the environment is not just the responsibility of those in power – we all have a role to play, and understanding this role begins with education, the very foundation for a holistic and integrated understanding of planetary health.
To borrow the beautiful words of author and poet Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” This way, we can have hope for a brighter future.
Academician Prof Emerita Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, FASc., vice-chancellor and chief executive officer of IMU University, is also Chair for the Planetary Health Action Plan for Malaysia and was Malaysia’s first female to serve as higher education director-general, Academy of Sciences Malaysia president and National Science Advisor to the Prime Minister.
The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
