The CNR-ISAC participated in the 19th Key Symposium on Planetary Health (https://key-symposium2025.se/programme), held in Stockholm from May 19 to 21, 2025. This international event, which was by invitation only, brought together experts from around the world to address the major challenges to the health of our planet.
As we know, our planet is facing unprecedented environmental challenges: climate change, loss of biodiversity, global pollution, urbanization, habitat destruction, and the sustainability of nutrition. These phenomena threaten not only ecosystems but also human health and well-being. The debate over climate change is no longer in question: the science is clear and widely accepted. The real question now is: what can we do for the health of our planet?
During the symposium, internationally renowned speakers took the stage, and up to 100 experts from various scientific disciplines, thought leaders, and science journalists were involved. The aim of the program was to foster lasting connections and interdisciplinary collaborations to develop concrete strategies for a healthier and more sustainable future for both humanity and the planet.
One evocative image used in the symposium was that of the Indian fable of the six blind men trying to describe an elephant— a metaphor for the difficulty of understanding a complex reality from a single point of view. For this reason, an interdisciplinary approach was promoted to "see the whole elephant" and address problems from a broader and more integrated perspective.
Planetary health is the science of interconnection. Understanding the links between the environment, health, and society is essential. The concept of the "butterfly effect" from chaos theory was also invoked: small initial changes can have large effects over time. Similarly, research outcomes in one field may have unexpected repercussions in others. Thinking systemically and collaborating across disciplines is essential to develop new solutions for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.
It is precisely in the meeting and exchange between different disciplines that the opportunity for major discoveries arises.
Francesca COSTABILE, a researcher at ISAC-CNR, coordinator of the Science working group of the EUROPEAN HUB FOR PLANETARY HEALTH (https://www.planetaryhealtheurope.com/working-groups), of which ISAC is a member, and part of the organizing committee of last week’s Key Symposium in Stockholm, presented the results of her work on URBANIZATION AS A THREAT FOR PLANETARY HEALTH, highlighting how dependence on fossil fuels and rapid urbanization pose real threats to the health of both the planet and humanity.
Recordings of the talks available on the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences’ website and YouTube channel.