Lecture 6: Linking Health, Equity, Justice and Environmental Sustainability

Question 1

how does justice and equity relate to planetary health?

Answer 1

• planetary health is founded on the rights of humans and of nature
• it requires eliminating systemic disparities so that no population carries disproportionate burdens
• institutions need to shape planetary living conditions
• and it must acknowledge inequities and injustices

Question 2

what climate change inequities are commonly experienced within countries?

Answer 2

Minorities
- experience greater heat exposure, less tree cover, more concrete, more health impacts post disaster, higher rates of preterm and maternal hospitalisation following heatwaves, postevent more challenges to access healthcare

Migrants
- experience life in high flooding zones, wildfire zones, greater heat exposures, poor access to disaster risk information

indigeneity
- traditional food supplies affected
- poor access to the social determinants of health

Question 3

is climate change related to social inequties?

Answer 3

climate change magnifies existing social inequities and intensifies challenges of global instability, hunger, poverty and conflict

Question 4

what rights is most affected by climate change?

Answer 4

• life
• self-determination
• development
• food
• water and sanitation
• health
• housing
• education
• future generations

Question 5

what is climate justice?

Answer 5

• climate justice provides an opportunity to remedy the injustices in our society that gave rise to this problem in the first place
• it recognises social and moral issues, affects health, life and communities, indigenous knowledge and leadership

Question 6

what are principles important for addressing climate change?

Answer 6

human rights: basic standard to which one is entitled

justice: conformity to a right, principle or ideal

inequity: an instance of injustice or unfairness

Question 7

what model can be used for keeping within planetary boundaries?

Answer 7

Donut of social and planetary boundaries

• has human rights in the middle (food, water, equity, health, education etc)
• and then the ecological ceiling which is the planetary boundaries
• finding the balance between these is the safe and just space for humanity which ensures that the needs of humans and the planet are met
• also works within the SDGs!!!

Question 8

what is a just transition?

Answer 8

• providing resources for communities who are experiencing the changes due to climate change action or something
  e.g. just transition for taranaki as in 2018 there were no new offshore oil and gas exploration permits
• for this taranaki has new goals for 2050:
• these are strong sustainable environment, education options, attractive jobs, leading the way in sustainable, low emissions energy, a region that cares for itself and people