A Planetary Health Approach to Managing Emerging Risks

The changing nature of disasters through the increased frequency and intensity of natural hazards underscores the need for an all-hazards approach to disaster risk management. This paper proposes for planetary health considerations to be embedded within the all-hazards approach, recognising the inextricable link between human well-being and the health of the planet and its ability to sustain human survival for the years to come. A planetary health approach emphasises the importance of recognising and addressing anthropogenic drivers of environmental destruction that triggers an increase in disaster risks and vulnerabilities. This is uncovered in the paper through presenting and discussing two mutually connected feedback loops between governance of the planet’s finite resources and governance of socioeconomic systems at country and global institutional levels. In essence, the paper proposes for planetary health considerations in disaster risk management to both inform and be rooted in shifts in how governance works by generating greater and more focused political will for both mitigation and adaptation measures which must include investing in nature-based solutions, emphasising communications designed for community action, and transforming education systems to contribute towards building community resilience against rising disaster risks.