Human health and environmental health go hand in hand

People’s health, climate change mitigation and broader environmental wellbeing are not separate objectives – many solutions support all of them.

“When different choices are made easy and affordable for people, they more easily become part of everyday routines,” says THL’s research professor Jaana Halonen.

Explore different solutions

How does nature support health?

Did you know that easy access to nature can protect against depression, encourage physical activity, and help prevent many chronic diseases? Even a small dose is enough.

Senior Researcher Anniina Salmela talks about the health benefits of nature and the Health from Nature programme that aims to promote health and well-being by strengthening people’s exposure to nature in everyday life and within social and health care services. 

About the topic in more depth

Decision-maker, here’s how you can support sustainable mobility and energy use

The state, municipalities, wellbeing services counties and employers can promote active mobility and sustainable energy use in many different ways.

Reduce your home’s energy consumption wisely

Cutting energy consumption is the most significant way an individual household can reduce its climate and environmental impacts. At the same time, it is important to consider the health effects of energy-saving measures.

Every step supports your health and the environment

Daily motion is one of the best ways to take care of your own wellbeing while also reducing environmental impact.

Blog

Five solutions to promote health and environmental wellbeing at the same time

Human health, food, water, climate and biodiversity – five huge concepts that are interlinked in countless different ways. Our blog highlights five solutions that are suitable for Finnish conditions and particularly promote health.

Read how you can promote health and environmental wellbeing

Planetary health 

The interdependence of human and environmental health and wellbeing is referred to as planetary health. This approach helps build a comprehensively sustainable society. It addresses many of the challenges that threaten the health and wellbeing of current and especially future generations.

Key perspectives

Planetary health aims for a sustainable and fair society that recognises the limits of the Earth’s carrying capacity.

Important perspectives for planetary health include:

  • comprehensive sustainability
  • fairness
  • systemic examination of phenomena
  • identifying the need for change.
Web page

How to strengthen health and sustainability through your food choices

Our food choices affect our health every day. At the same time, they influence the kind of environment future generations will live in.

Website

The Health from Nature programme brings the health benefits of nature into everyday life (in Finnish)

The Health from Nature programme aims to promote health and well-being by strengthening exposure to nature in municipalities, the social and health care sector, workplaces, and people’s everyday lives.

Publication

Climate change adaptation plan of Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (2021–2031)

The Adaptation Plan focuses particularly on health protection and the adaptation of healthcare in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

Website

Climate Nudge Project

CLIMATE NUDGE is a multi-year research project which creates, develops and tests nudges to reduce GHG emission from traffic and to fortify carbon sinks in forests.