We Cannot Be Pro-Aging Without a Healthy Planet

The simple fact is, without a healthy planet, humanity has limited prospects of longevity. We cannot be pro-aging so long as the planet is facing a climate crisis.

For most  of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.” Jacques Cousteau.  I grew up with these words, and who could have known how much foresight Jacques Cousteau had, already back then?

For the simple fact is, without a healthy planet, humanity has no prospects at all of longevity.  There is no planet B.

The main driving force behind climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases through human activities. Yes… it’s us. We’re the problem, but thankfully also the solution!

Humankind has systematically created a climate crisis through our consumption habits and need to progress. Some would argue that it’s the natural way for humanity to move forward; others believe that our greed and need for instant gratification are out of control. Whatever your view, the fact is, the Earth can no longer sustain the current growth trajectory.

We’re overheating the planet by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil, with industries, transport, buildings and agriculture the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases. 

The earth is getting hotter and hotter

On 17 August 2020, Death Valley in California set a world record: a temperature of 54°C. The Washington Post reported: “If the temperature is valid, it would also rank among the top three highest temperatures ever measured on the planet at any time, and may, in fact, be the highest.”

With an increase in global warming, we’re expecting extreme weather conditions, such as droughts, floods and extremely cold/hot conditions. This will continue to disrupt our ability to produce food, and also to live in healthy conditions. It’s not just wonky weather we have to worry about, but toxic air and water, and soil-borne pollution is already affecting millions around the world.

We are getting sicker

Annually, millions of people are getting sick, losing their lives, livelihoods and homes, due to the effects of global warming. Scientists have been predicting this for a long time.

Prof Linus Franke from the University of the Free State sums it up neatly when he says:  “Twenty years ago, climate change was about analyzing trends in data sets. Today, to observe climate change, one can just look out of the window. In the past 10 years, climate change has become a reality.”

So here’s a burning question for you…

In a (pre-pandemic) “business-as-usual” scenario, how many years do we have left before the world exceeds the CO₂ emissions budget to keep the global average temperature rise below 2°C, with a 50% probability? 

1. Less than 10 years

2. 10-20 years

3. 20-30 years

4. More than 30 years

We’ll get to the answer later… Please keep reading.

What longevity will mean in a climate crisis

We also have to challenge our misguided belief that someone else is going to sort out this problem. Government, big business, climate change activists… That hasn’t happened yet. There has been some progress, and at least we’re out of the climate change denialism phase. However, many scientists warn that we’re just not acting fast enough.

Imagine a scenario where all our pro-aging and healthy habits pay off and we all have longevity,  How will this work for us if our planet is dying at the same time?

And, yes, I know you may argue that we must have other options. That technology will save us or the space race will discover some new planetary nirvana.

Indeed, there are a few billionaires, and some governments, spending billions of dollars funding a race to space, as well as scientific research to discover these other places to which humans can migrate and live safely. And perhaps it may become a reality. But, logically, this isn’t going to happen today, or any time in the foreseeable future. 

In the meantime, I think we can all agree that Earth is our home, and we have to live in harmony and protect her if we want longevity for all. Because right now there really is no Planet B.

It’s time to act!

In the United Kingdom,  Prince William spoke out about the space race and space tourism, saying the world’s greatest minds need to focus on trying to fix the Earth instead. He said: “We need some of the world’s greatest brains and minds fixed on trying to repair this planet, not trying to find the next place to go and live…

 

Prince William and The Duchess of Cambridge

“I want the things that I’ve enjoyed – the outdoor life, nature, the environment – I want that to be there for my children, and not just my children, but everyone else’s children.” Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, KG, KT, PC, ADC is a member of the British royal family. 

 

There are many ways to save the Earth, but some will be more powerful for humanity collectively.

Encourage biodiversity

In order to keep the planet carbon-neutral and food supplies constant, we need to encourage bio-diversity. Biodiversity generates critical ecosystem services that support food production, including pollination, creating and maintaining healthy soils, responsible pest control, water regulation, carbon sinks, and ensuring sufficient healthy habitat for wildlife. All of these make food systems more resilient to shocks and stresses, including those caused by a rapidly changing climate. 

“Yet, despite the central role of biodiversity in food production,” the WWF says, “we are losing species at a rate 100–1 000 times greater than the underlying rate during the Holocene, and have entered the sixth mass extinction.”

Live within the global carbon budget for food

The goal has to be to keep global warming below 2°C, and aiming for 1.5°C. This will require rapid decarbonization of all sectors by 2050. This means halving global emissions every decade until 2050, while at the same time massively increasing carbon sinks to begin achieving negative emissions near mid-century. 

The WWF reports: “The food system accounts for just over a quarter of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, at approximately 14Gt. About two-thirds of all food-related GHG emissions are accounted for in the agriculture, forestry and land use (AFOLU) sector, while the remaining third come from processing, transport and packaging. To meet Paris Agreement goals, emissions from the food system must be reduced to within a carbon budget of 5Gt CO₂ eq – including hard-to-avoid emissions of methane from livestock and nitrous oxide from fertilizer use. The trends described here highlight a dilemma in our food system: tackling all forms of malnutrition while keeping GHG emissions within the planetary boundary for food.”

WHAT CAN YOU DO? 

Each one of us can play a part, no matter how small. 

• Put your local politicians and big businesses under pressure. They decide and grant rights of access, and agree what kinds of food production happen in your community and country. Hold them to account. And if you can’t or don’t want to, vote with your wallet. 

• Buy local. Support your local farmer, local markets and NGOs that are promoting small farmer development. 

• Support those who are focused on better soil management. We need to support initiatives that seek to improve soil management. In South Africa, Prof Franke and his team at the University of the Free State are studying the role that better soil management can have on carbon emissions. He says: “Carbon in soil plays an important, but underestimated role.” He believes that, through proper soil management, humans can control the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. In the long term, this could have a positive effect on climate change.

Eat for the planet

You may have heard about regenerative farming. Look out for products and farmers who support this. Many retailers have begun to recognize the importance of nurturing these farming communities and offering more conscious choices.

• Eat a planetary diet. Dietary shifts are key to reversing course, so that food is produced in a way that restores the planet, not destroys it. One of the healthiest ways of helping the planet is to eat more plants. Please don’t say this isn’t possible, or it’s too expensive. If you eat more vegetables and fruits, buy smart and don’t waste, you’ll find it easy on the pocket – let alone the medical expenses you’ll save down the line for eating more healthily.

Some countries consumes more red meat per capita than any others. Not only does this fuel obesity, hypertension and diabetes cows increase global warming due to the gases they omit.  And eating too much red meat will kill you sooner than you’d like to believe.

A large body of scientific evidence has shown that reducing overconsumption of animal-source foods, by increasing the relative consumption of plant-based foods, offers both environmental and health benefits. And many studies have demonstrated the significant impact that increasing consumption of plant-based foods relative to animal-source foods can have on human health.

Longevity studies show plant based diets are healthiest

Studies in Okinawa and other Blue Zones (areas of the world where the populations exhibit the highest levels of longevity) have shown that populations with high vegetable (plant) quotients are healthiest and have longevity.

If we don’t make changes, our food choices may alter dramatically in time to come. Don’t choke on the idea of crickets. Cricket farms are very popular in the US. The insects are environmentally friendly and sustainable; they need little space, are easy to feed, use little water and little food, yet they provide high doses of proteins to humans.

Other earth-friendly habits to adopt

You can reduce your use of single-use plastic. Use less energy at home with smarter appliances. Drive an electric car, run or join a car pool, cycle or walk to the shops/work, or take public transport. If you can afford to install solar panels and use rainwater, you will also make a difference.

And you can definitely stop feeding fast fashion. The fashion manufacturing industry is a significant contributor to carbon emissions and global warming. Think before you buy that item of cheap clothing that has been imported from some far-away place. Rather buy local, vintage or great-quality second-hand clothes. 

Start a plant revolution. You don’t need a lot of space, either, when it comes to the miracle Spekboom. This remarkable, proudly  plant (from South Africa)  actively reduces carbon in the atmosphere.

Be informed. There is an incredible growth in websites and resources that will help you to become more planet-conscious. 

And now, in closing, let’s get back to that burning question… Here is the answer.

Pretty scary, right? 

So, what kind of future do you want to have, not only for yourself, but also for future generations?