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On the eve of the Dies Natalis of Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ, the Life Sciences department hosted a public lecture by from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. She took the audience on an insightful journey into Planetary Health, emphasizing the urgent need to address the intersection of human health and environmental challenges.

Professor Tonne explored the ecological paradox, where human health and the planet’s ecosystems are moving in opposing directions. She highlighted how current development practices risk future generations’ health to support immediate economic gains. Through examples like water consumption in Barcelona and the impact of landscape fires on child health in Mozambique, she illustrated both the challenges and innovative solutions emerging in this field.

The lecture stressed the importance of integrated approaches such as ecosystem restoration and local collaboration. It concluded with a call for advancements in science, policy, and collective behavioral change to create a healthier, more sustainable world. Following the lecture, attendees participated in an interactive exercise, discussing various climate change issues in small groups.

At Life Sciences, we are proud to contribute to the Planetary Health conversation, inspired by Professor Tonne’s insights and the need for interdisciplinary solutions to global health challenges. We are especially proud that Professor Tonne is one of the two international top scientists receiving an honorary doctorate during the Dies Natalis celebrations.