Down to Earth: Planetary Health and Biophilosophy in the Symbiocene Epoch

Abstract

Advances in science have illuminated the role of the "ecological theatre"-the total living environment-in human health. In a rapidly changing epoch known as the anthropocene, microbiome science is identifying functional connections between all life, both seen and unseen. Rather than an easily identifiable era appearing in rock strata, the anthropocene is more of a diagnostic syndrome, a set of signs and symptoms including climate change, gross biodiversity losses, environmental degradation, and an epidemic of non-communicable diseases. The syndrome is intertwined with politics, economics, public policies (or lack thereof), social values, and a global push of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods and beverages. The healing of anthropocene syndrome is the grand challenge of humanity. Expanding on the "Mars Can Wait" argument of Geoffrey Goodman, et al., we focus on the urgency with which health promotion must be prioritized here on Earth. We revive Jonas Salk's biophilosophy: a call to action for collaboration between biologists, humanists, and scholars of all stripes. From this perspective, lines of distinction between personal, public, and planetary health are removed. We also describe the symbiocene: the possibility of a new epoch in which mutualism will be considered imperative. If society asks the right questions, a transition to the symbiocene is possible; the "stratigraphical" mark of the new epoch will be found in a repudiation of authoritarianism, and the promotion of empathy, cultural competency, emotional intelligence, and commitment to optimism, tolerance, and the facilitation of the WHO definition of health, i.e., the fulfillment of human potential.

Rekindling old friendships in new landscapes: The environment–microbiome–health axis in the realms of landscape research

“…Raymond et al (2017) outline a ‘co‐benefits’ framework for promoting nature‐based solutions with the aim of generating benefits for humans and the environment (Figure 1). Furthermore, the need for integrative strategies is highlighted by the planetary health conceptual framework, which is a systems thinking approach that applies considerations for the inextricable links between human and environmental health (including at the planetary scale; Gabrysch, 2018; Ostfeld, 2017; Prescott & Logan, 2017, 2018).…”

Larger Than Life: Injecting Hope into the Planetary Health Paradigm

“…Shortly we will discuss the scientific definition of hope, and it will be plain to see how these examples-with clear motivation to solve a local/global problem and the bypassing of a barrier-illuminate the essence of hope. As we have described elsewhere [55], witnessing hope and transformation in the shadow of planetary pathology-even in small doses-may be considered a vaccine against pessimism, cynicism and despair.…”

“…Neoliberalism manifests as an abundance of consumer choices-including the ultra-processed foods, beverages, tobacco, etc., that act as drivers of NCDs-and at the same time provides the personal "freedom" of allowing the individual to be the primary holder of preventive strategies (i.e., solely responsible for lifestyle) for one's own health. Moreover, the ideology provides the commercially available (often globally patented) remedies which one (and at the larger scale, society) might purchase in the hopes of offsetting the commercial drivers of NCDs [55]. The consequences of neoliberalism to the Earth's resources and its threat to the wellbeing of all species, not only humans, as has been described in detail by experts in the field [74,75].…”

Astrofood, Priorities and Pandemics: Reflections of an Ultra-Processed Breakfast Program and Contemporary Dysbiotic Drift

“…As we have discussed in detail elsewhere [213], the benefits to society-financial and otherwise-of an intense, collaborative "moon shot"-like effort to promote mental health and eliminate health inequalities are virtually immeasurable. Half-a-century later we are, in a sense, back to the future.…”