Human and Planetary Health

What if addressing climate change could simultaneously prevent the next pandemic? What if redesigning cities could cut air pollution and reduce cardiovascular disease? What if transforming food systems could restore ecosystems while improving nutrition for billions? Human and planetary health investigates these connections and looks for levers for change. Humanity faces intersecting crises: unsustainable food systems, global warming, biodiversity collapse, pollution, and shifting disease patterns. These threaten human lives and the natural systems that sustain them, and the communities least responsible face the greatest harm. In this broad-gauged course, faculty and guests bring forward a range of challenges and focus on solutions, examining interdisciplinary frameworks, analytical tools, and intervention strategies that can bend these trajectories toward health, equity, and sustainability. Through engagement with experts, in-class discussions, small-group work, and hands-on analysis, you'll learn to map complex problems, evaluate interventions, and advocate for evidence-based change. All students will complete readings, reflections, and a multipart policy memo assignment designed to develop practical skills in stakeholder engagement, evidence synthesis, and effective communication. SUSTAIN 103 is designed for students across all levels and disciplines. A diversity of backgrounds and perspectives strengthens everyone's learning.