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A healthy planet is one where humans, animals and ecosystems thrive equally. That means that one’s health is dependent on the health of the others. No hierarchy, just mutual dependence. That’s the idea. But what does it take to create a healthy planet for all?

Interview with two experts

We spoke with two experts who dedicate their research to understanding and advocating for just and equitable solutions: , professor of ecology at Azim Premji ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� and a well-known writer on sustainability, and Ajay Bailey, a professor at Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� specializing in planetary health, ageing, and inclusive cities.

What are the foundations of a healthy planet?

“Equity and justice,” says Ajay Bailey. “We cannot have a healthy planet without asking ourselves: Whose health? Whose planet? And who is allowed to be healthy? We share the planet with both humans and non-humans, yet we prioritise some lives and make others less visible.

Many disaster response policies are designed for young, able-bodied individuals. But what about older people or those with disabilities?

“If you consider environmental destruction, it affects communities across the globe. But the burdens of pollution, climate change, and natural disasters fall disproportionally on those who contribute the least to these problems, especially in the Global South.”

He quickly adds that these injustices are not simply a matter of power imbalances between the North and the South. “Even in wealthier countries, low-income communities bear a heavier burden. In the Netherlands, for example, people in low-income neighbourhoods are at higher risk of heat stress and flooding. And many disaster response policies are designed for young, able-bodied individuals. But what about older people or those with disabilities? During extreme weather events, these groups suffer the most. So in that way, environmental injustices are not so much about where you are geographically located, but where you are intersectionally positioned in society.”

How do environmental issues and social injustices intersect?

Bailey gives an example from his research: “In Curaçao, illegal waste dumping sites are often located near low-income communities, creating breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Meanwhile, wealthier neighborhoods and tourist areas remain unaffected. Similarly, in India’s informal settlements, women and older people often struggle just to access a toilet, particularly during the rainy season when paths become flooded and unsafe.”

Harini Nagendra nods in agreement: “We cannot separate the transition to a sustainable planet from social justice. India’s urban population is projected to grow from 33% today to over 50% by 2050. That’s a massive transition, and most cities are not prepared. Infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with rapid growth, and the most vulnerable populations are often the last to gain access to basic services, such as clean water and sanitation.”

She highlights the need for ecological infrastructure: “We often think of roads and plumbing, but trees, lakes, and green spaces are just as essential. They cool cities, purify the air, and bring physical and mental health benefits,” Nagendra says. “But that’s often what you lack in rapidly growing and congested cities. And the key issue is who gets access to nature in the city? In many Indian cities, the parks that remain have been gated, with entry fees restricting access. They are prioritizing ornamental greenery for elite gated communities rather than public, multifunctional spaces that serve everyone. This could be a lake where people walk or jog, or a sacred tree where children play, elders share stories and street vendors rest.”

But when space is at a premium, how do you make place for people and nature? 

Nagendra shares an inspiring example: "In Bombay, years of garbage dumping into the sea unintentionally created reclaimed land. Real estate developers had their eyes on the area, but before they could take over, local citizens stepped in and transformed it into a public park. That’s what we call a new ecological commons - a shared, beautiful green space that everyone now enjoys.

“Similarly, in cities like Chennai, government initiatives on resilience are working on innovative solutions, like using rooftops in informal settlements for urban farming. Besides growing their own food, residents get to reconnect with nature and cool their homes.”

Despite this type of frugal innovation, many sustainability or climate resilient interventions originate in high-income countries and are then applied elsewhere. What impact do they have?

Nagendra warns that they often backfire: “When we studied urban sustainability research over a ten-year period, we found that most highly cited work came from the Global North—despite the fact that over 50% of urbanization is happening in the South. This means policies often fail when imported from global North to global South cities without consideration of the different contexts.

How can we talk about ‘smart metering’ when some people don’t even have a water tap at home?

“For example, India’s ‘smart city’ initiative was inspired by Western models. But many Indian cities still lack basic infrastructure like sewage systems or reliable electricity. How can we talk about ‘smart metering’ when some people don’t even have a water tap at home? And this isn’t unique to India. That’s what you find in parts of Latin America and Africa too. When sustainability efforts ignore local realities, they risk increasing inequality rather than reducing it.”

How can we build equitable solutions to achieve a healthy planet for all? 

Bailey emphasizes that solutions already exist within communities: “Local people are not just waiting for help – they are finding solutions to their everyday problems. The question for us, as academics, is: How do we scale them up? How do we support communities instead of imposing top-down fixes?

He offers an example from the Caribbean: “Much of our work focuses on infectious diseases such as dengue and Zika. We know mosquitoes breed in standing water near homes. But addressing this problem isn’t just about giving people information. While encouraging people to keep their gardens clean is essential, it’s not just an individual responsibility. If waste is simply moved from a yard to the street, the problem in the community persists. What we’ve learned is that behaviour change to reduce disease transmission isn’t just about providing information– people often already know this. The real challenge is building trust. We realized that change happens when people trust institutions (municipal systems or governmental authorities) in these processes, not just when they receive instructions.

What’s a story of resilience or innovation that gives you hope?

Nagendra shares a personal story: “When I moved to Sarjapur Road (in Bangalore), I worked with the community of other residents to restore the degraded Kaikondrahalli lake. The government initially planned to turn it into a gentrified space with lookouts, parking lots and food courts. But we pushed for an ecological approach—expanding the lake, preserving biodiversity, and making it a true commons. Today, it’s a thriving habitat that has also helped increase groundwater levels.”

Bailey adds: “Across India or Indonesia, the communities we work with are organizing, demanding land rights, and implementing their own solutions, be it in terms of wastewater management, distribution of resources, or education. Communities everywhere are demonstrating agency – and that gives me hope.”