Everything Is Connected: Five Co-Benefits for Your Health and the Planet

Back in 1970, Earth Day was founded to raise awareness about environmental issues. Today, climate change impacts—fires, storms, floods, droughts, heat waves, rising sea levels, and species extinction—threaten our well-being. The concept of planetary health recognizes that ecosystem and human health are intertwined. Below are five actions that boost both your individual health and the health of our planet—what environmentalists call co-benefits.

1. Increase Plant-Based Foods and Minimize Meat

Shifting toward plant-based meals lowers risks of heart disease, stroke, obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and many cancers. For the same amount of protein, plant meals produce a lower carbon footprint and use fewer resources (land, water) than meat-based meals.

2. Learn the Environmental Impact of Specific Foods

Plant foods vary in nutritional value and environmental footprint. Reading Nutrition Facts labels helps with dietary choices; resources like Our World in Data offer interactive graphs showing the carbon, land, and water use of different foods to guide more sustainable selections.

3. Choose Alternatives to Driving

Opt for walking, biking, or public transportation when possible. Adults are advised to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity weekly plus two muscle-strengthening sessions. These habits improve mental health, bone health, weight management, and lower risks of heart disease, some cancers, and falls in older adults. Fewer miles driven also mean cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions.

4. Set Achievable, Personalized Goals

Small changes add up. You might pledge one vegan meal per week, limit beef to once weekly, take the bus to work, or bike when weather permits. Choose challenges that fit your lifestyle and gradually build new habits.

5. Share Your Pledges and Build Community

Talking about your goals helps you feel supported and inspired. Sharing with one person—and encouraging them to share—amplifies impact. Collective action can influence policies, from school menus to city planning for bike lanes and pedestrian walkways.