Abstract
All awareness, thoughts, emotions, perceptions, memories, actions—everything that encompasses our human capacity and reality—are mediated through the biological interface of our brains. While the source of consciousness remains a fundamental and elusive question, it is also inescapable that threats to biological health can compromise any and all aspects of psychological and neurological functioning, from the first moments of life. The effects of environmental threats to specific aspects of individual brain health are well recognized, yet precious little attention is given to the collective effects of planetary-scale environmental damage, and the erosion of numerous planetary systems, on the biology of the human brain. Although, these are likely to vary widely with individual circumstances, it is also inevitable that the ‘dysbiotic drift’ (increasing life in distress) at the planetary scale is reflected at the personal scale, with a collective shift towards increased biological stress of all kinds. Here, we make the case that ‘planetary distress’ is directly implicated in a collective increase in ‘personal distress’, and that multifaceted biological pressures, as well as psychological pressures, are implicated in the mental health crisis and predisposition to numerous disorders in brain development, functioning and aging. In turn, this has implications for every aspect of health, capacity, and the very essence of human experience for generations to come. Viewed on this scale, we call for a quantum shift in efforts to address the many factors affecting brain health, ranging from air pollution to disappearing greenspace. These all stem from ecological imbalance and point to a unifying need to restore planetary health. Ultimately, the future of human capacity depends on this.
Highlights
We may be far greater than our biology, but it is our biology that limits us, if it is more limited than it needs to be
Optimizing conditions for brain health throughout life has long been a concern at the personal and public health level, it is vital to expand this agenda to a multilateral planetary perspective, in the face of devastating damage to the many planetary systems on which we depend
Declining access to greenspace, which are the core focus of this review, many other factors affecting brain health are adversely implicated in changing planetary conditions and ways of human living
Summary
We may be far greater than our biology, but it is our biology that limits us, if it is more limited than it needs to be. Declining access to greenspace, which are the core focus of this review (below), many other factors affecting brain health are adversely implicated in changing planetary conditions and ways of human living These include food systems and dietary patterns [7,8], physical activity levels [9,10], psychological stress [11,12], sleep [13,14], socioeconomic status [15] and disruption to the many microbial ecosystems that support human and environmental health [5]. We present evidence to support the argument that ‘planetary distress’ is directly implicated in a collective increase in ‘personal distress’ and that these effects are mediated, at least in part, by effects on the brain This is likely to be compounded by the distinct psychological pressures (known as ‘solastalgia’ [16]) experienced by humans when they experience damage and degradation of their living environment, which will have biological effects. This all serves as a call for large scale changes to protect both the future of humanity and our planetary environment, and the awareness that these cannot be separated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
