Health

The green transition is inextricably linked with sustainability, environmental exposure, climate change, planetary and human health. Green solutions that result in improved planetary health, cleaner environment, lower emissions of greenhouse gasses and/or mitigating climate changes often also have co-benefits that directly or indirectly benefit human health.

The solutions for a greener and more sustainable future have great potential to optimize human health and mental and social well-being.

Health in the green transition

The connection between health and the green transition is expressed in various ways.

More plant-based diets have the potential to significantly improve health, but it requires that plant-based products are both nutritious, culturally acceptable, and affordable for consumers. Transition towards less use of fossil fuels and more use of renewable energy sources and more energy efficient solutions in how we live can lower emissions of greenhouse gasses and air pollutants to the atmosphere and environmental degradation. Use of alternative energy sources such as biomass and biofuel has drawbacks like deforesting, land and water requirement, air and water pollution and can hurt communities. Sustainable energy transition is critical to tackle environmental issues, the climate crisis and associated health impacts. Digitalization, large infrastructural changes, political will, public accept, and technological solutions are required for a shift in energy production, distribution and consumption.  

Active forms of commuting, the use of our leisure time, and opportunities for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle are other potentials in the interplay between the green transition and health.

Mental health is also important to consider. It is clear that many people experience negative mental health consequences from living in a time of climate crisis, biodiversity loss,  environmental degradation and ecological crisis. Therefore, we also study grief and grief processing as part of modern culture.

Human rights at the center

Green transition represents opportunities for just transition, ensuring fairness and inclusion, reduce inequality, disparities (in access to healthy living environment, resources, energy etc.), sustainable development and integration of health in the sustainable and resilient future.

Our current health and food systems raise concerns about whether they meet our right to safe, clean, healthy, and socially sustainable cities and environments, including food, water, and air.

If we are to succeed with the health benefits that can come from the green transition, we must change both general conditions of society for how people live as well as the consumer behavior in daily life. Such changes are not successful unless the traditional political tools that focus on the individual are supplemented with more collective approaches that consider social and cultural contexts. The current energy, health and food systems raise concerns about whether they meet our right to safe, clean, healthy, and socially sustainable cities and environments, including food, water, and air. Therefore, we propose an approach that crosses sectors and is based on human rights to promote equal opportunities for people to live a healthy life.

In our research network "Health responsible green transition," we create interdisciplinary solutions to problems related to physical, mental, and social well-being in light of the challenges associated with modern lifestyle, urbanization, environmental degradation, and climate change.