Planetary Health NewsStrengthening community and restoring the health of our planet.
Future Doctors Learn About Planetary Health
Professor Lynne Madden from The University of Notre Dame presenting on the connection between human health and a healthy environment.
Last week around 160 first year medical students were introduced to Planetary Health and Dharug culture at the Planetary Health Centre, with presentations by Professor Lynne Madden from The University of Notre Dame Australia, Lis Bastian from the Planetary Health Centre and Dharug man Chris Tobin.
Key Points:
The Rural Clinical School of The University of Notre Dame in Lithgow and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre have been introducing first year medical students to rural medicine, Aboriginal Health and Planetary Health for three years.
In Australia, heatwaves kill more people than all other natural disasters combined, and we need a whole-of-community response to reduce the impact of heat on public health and biodiversity.
A healthy biodiverse environment supports human health.
Increasingly, medical practitioners are recognising the impact of the environment on human health and that we need to protect the health of our planet to safeguard human health.
For the last three years, The University of Notre Dame Australia has been bringing first year medical students to the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre and Notre Dame’s Rural Clinical School in Lithgow, to deliver its Rural Indigenous Immersion Program.
The focus is on rural medicine, Aboriginal Health and Planetary Health.
Chris Tobin discussing Dharug culture with medical students in the Planetary Health Centre Gallery
Last week around 160 students were introduced to Planetary Health and Dharug culture at the Planetary Health Centre, with presentations by Dharug man Chris Tobin, Professor Lynne Madden from Notre Dame, and Lis Bastian from the Planetary Health Centre.
A slide from Professor Madden’s presentation
With 2024 being the hottest year on record, within the hottest decade on record, assisting future doctors prepare for heatwaves has become an important focus area of these programs. Heat waves kill more people than all other natural disasters combined. For example, in 2024 the WHO estimated that 175,000 people die annually from heat stress in the European region.
“They are all preventable deaths,” stressed Professor Madden. “You can prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality if you’re aware. Some drugs you are going to prescribe,” she explained to the students, “are going to make people more heat sensitive. You’re going to have to be factoring this into your care.”
Professor Lynne Madden highlighted that a large section of the population, that includes babies, pregnant women, people on certain medications (including some anti-hypertensives), and people over 65, are more vulnerable to the effects of heatwaves because of a reduced capacity to thermoregulate.
“We actually know a lot more now about the physiology of thermoregulation. And some of that work has been done at Sydney University by Professor Ollie Jay, Professor of Heat and Health. Anything that Ollie writes is worth reading,” said Lynne.
Professor Madden shared these simple evidence-informed solutions to help people cope with heatwaves:
Jay O, Capon A, Berry P, et al. Reducing the health effects of hot weather and heat extremes: from personal cooling strategies to green cities. The Lancet 2021.
You can watch Professor Madden’s full presentation here:
Through Lis Bastian’s presentation, and group exercises using thermal imaging cameras, the students learnt how surface temperatures can be dramatically higher than air temperatures (think about when you try walking barefoot on an asphalt road on a hot day!) and that a strategy to reduce impacts of heatwaves, and the ‘heat island effect’, is to ensure we use more natural surfaces which contain water.
Water cools areas in summer and warms them in winter. Grass, for example, is much cooler than pavers and woodchip or artificial surfaces. Colour is also important: light roofs and surfaces are cooler than dark surfaces.
Saskia Everingham demonstrating how to use a thermal imaging camera.
Students experimenting with thermal imaging cameras (NB. Blue Mountains Library has thermal imaging cameras available for loan and they can also be used to identify where cold air is entering your house in winter.)
Lis highlighted how children’s playgrounds, built with artificial surfaces, become dangerously hot in heatwaves, as this thermal photograph indicates: with hot artificial surfaces red and yellow, and grass and shade much cooler as indicated by blue.
The students broke into groups to address strategies to moderate temperatures both inside and outside the building.
Designing ‘Cooler’ Bus Stops
Six groups of students over the two days were given the task of designing a bus shelter for the Planetary Health Centre that would be accessible and provide a safe cool place to wait for public transport during heatwaves.
Discussing the bus stop outside the Planetary Health Centre
The students took this further and considered all weather conditions, coming up with a range of suggestions the Planetary Health Centre now hopes to use to apply for funding to build a bus shelter.
Together they addressed many aspects of what should be considered in designing better bus stops: providing shelter by adding a roof (and even roof garden), with surrounding trees for natural cooling shade, seating, water fountains, walls for protection from wind and rain, solar panels for electronic timetables and lighting to provide security for people waiting at night, emergency call services, information in braille, garbage bins, grassed areas and water for guide dogs, and ramps to improve accessibility.
‘The Shak’ could be the ultimate bus stop, a destination in itself!
At the end of the day one group took the concept of ‘cooler’ literally and amused everyone with their design for ‘The Shak’. Made out of recycled timber it included seating using recycled movie theatre seats and recycled sofa beds from Event Cinemas, as well as a Netflix screen to entertain people while waiting. The shelter was covered in solar panels to power the Netflix screen and fairy lights, and a dual electronic bus timetable that would indicate to bus drivers if people were waiting. The shelter also included an accessibility ramp, a water fountain, a bathroom, and a coffee shop!
We are so excited to be launching revolutionary new fire protection coatings that can stop your home burning down and slow the spread of fire. Learn more and pick up a sample pot at the Planetary Health Expo on Sat 22 Nov at 10am. FIRECOAT interior and exterior undercoat has been developed by scientists at UNSW and is already available for this fire season but new products will also be shared at the Expo, including a flexible fire-protective covering designed for temporary use on windows, doors, poles, fences, vehicles, equipment and other small assets. There is even a product that can create a fire-protective barrier around your home and these assets. FIRECOAT is waterproof, non toxic and game changing. Register here to attend the launch (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J and PLEASE SHARE. This breakthrough technology can help make our communities safer.
We’re thrilled that engineer Mark Liebman, who built a green roof in Blackheath, will be giving a free talk at the Planetary Health Centre Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 November. Green roofs cool buildings, reduce stormwater runoff and increase biodiversity. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and get tips on how to do it yourself. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Are there native bees and insects in your garden? Today is the first day of Australian Pollinator Week and native bee ecologist and musician @amelie_ecology has just released a new single with Costa Georgiadis @costasworld called ‘Not all Pests’. We’re thrilled that Amelie will be performing her songs and running a free interactive workshop on what we can do to support our native pollinators at the Planetary Health Expo and Family Day on Saturday 22nd November. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
and you can stream ’Not all Pests’ here (link in profile): https://amelieecology.bandcamp.com/track/not-all-pests
There are so many ways to have a greener healthier Christmas! Ever thought of giving a voucher for Tai Chi and Qigong classes? You can try out one of our Qigong classes at the Planetary Health Centre this Saturday at 9am. Tutor Virginia Field is currently introducing Qigong`s 5-Animals Play, an ancient practice which developed from observing animals and mimicking their behaviour. Reserve a spot here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3JlOAXh Find other ideas for a greener Christmas on Council`s website here: www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/greenchristmas
Or come along to our Expo and Family Day on 22 November and try out some other great options like drumming classes, sewing and fashion upcycling! Register to attend here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/disaster-risk-awareness-expo-or-full-cycle-2025
We’ve had some great news! Santa is coming to the free Community BBQ at the Planetary Health Centre Expo in Katoomba on Saturday 22 November. He’s arriving early to help us celebrate Christmas in a way that’s safer and healthier for us and the planet, and he’s let us know that he’ll be giving everyone who comes a free fire-retardant plant for their garden. We’re so thrilled we’re putting on fun family events for the day: from a fabulous free drumming workshop with Emily from Hands, Heart and Feet, to live music and a pollinator hunt with Amelie Ecology, and workshops to create plastic-free Christmas presents. There’ll also be an opportunity to meet the RFS, NSW Fire & Rescue, Red Cross and other emergency services. Come and learn ways to keep the family safe while also having fun, enjoying a coffee, sampling some plant-based sweets and a free BBQ lunch, and taking home lots of useful information about hazardous materials and preparing for extreme weather events! Register here to attend (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/disaster-risk-awareness-expo-or-full-cycle-2025?
Do you feel overwhelmed about preparing your home for bushfire? Come along to the free Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit Workshop at the Disaster Risk Awareness Expo (and pre-Christmas Family Day) at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Saturday 22 Nov. Meet the team who developed the Toolkit and learn to use it in a free, 2-hour interactive workshop. You will have the opportunity to work on case study properties in small groups and ask the team questions about your own property. Free afternoon tea provided. Bookings essential here (Disaster Risk Awareness Expo link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/disaster-risk-awareness-expo-or-full-cycle-2025/tickets #beprepared #bushfire #retrofit #disasterriskawareness #planetaryhealth #katoomba #bluemountains #bushfireretrofittoolkit...
When we pulled up some old lino we were shocked to learn at the Katoomba Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility that it was made of asbestos. There are so many parts of old homes in the Blue Mountains that contain asbestos, so, to help keep everyone safe, we`ve invited Betty the Asbestos Education House to the Planetary Health Centre on Saturday 22nd November as part of our Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and pre-Christmas Family Day. Betty is a purpose built, mobile model home designed to demonstrate where asbestos might be found in and around any Australian home built or renovated before 1990. Her exterior resembles a typical fibro home but when opened up, she has extensive audio and visual information including a bathroom, kitchen, living room, man shed/garage and a dog house. You can learn more and register to attend this free event here (link in profile): www.fullcycleconference.com.au
Yesterday we launched the Upper Mountains Seed Saving and Gardening Group at the Planetary Health Centre. It`s the perfect time to get planting so we shared locally acclimatised seeds for a variety of beans (they don`t cross-pollinate so you can plant as many varieties as you can fit in!), round yellow zucchinis, Japanese pumpkins and Roi de Carouby peas. Seeds are arguably one of the best return on investments you can make in your life. Plant one tiny celery seed and when that plant goes to seed you can harvest thousands to replant and to sprout and add to your salads. We`ll be meeting on the first Saturday of every month as part of Skill Share Saturdays at the Planetary Health Centre. Our next meeting will be Saturday 6 Dec. Register here if you`d like to attend (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-upper-mountains-seed-saving-and-gardening-group?
The KTOWN pickers - Katoombans Taking On Waste Now - are clearing litter from local tracks and streets and stopping it from entering our waterways and eventually our water supply. Read more in Katoomba Area Local News (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/ktown-katoombans-taking-on-waste-now/
This Saturday will be the first meeting of the Upper Mountains Seed Saving and Gardening Group at the Planetary Health Centre, starting at 10am. Register your interest here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3LalNFy
It will be followed by the Planetary Health Bushcare group at 1.30pm. Register your interest here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/49k8PPo
Global poisoning by a tsunami of toxins that are flooding the planet is fast becoming the biggest threat to life on earth. Extreme weather events like fire and flood accelerate this chemical pollution. To address this the Planetary Health Centre`s Full Cycle 2025 conference from 20-22 Nov is bringing together leading experts in managing extreme weather events as well as those who are working on reducing the risk of hazardous materials like asbestos and PFAS. According to keynote speaker Julian Cribb:
"The poisoning of our planet through human chemical emissions is arguably the largest human impact of all upon the Earth. In volume, it is four to five times greater than our climate emissions (which are a part of it), and three times more lethal than the estimated climate death-toll. It is the mega-threat least understood by society, monitored by science or regulated by government. It has mainly occurred over the last 50 years, due to a massive global surge in chemical use and materials extraction.
Scientific assessment has identified more than 350,000 man-made chemicals. The US Department of Health estimates 2000 new chemicals go on the market every year and the Smithsonian says 1000 new compounds are now being synthesised every hour. The UN Environment Program warns about a third of these “are persistent, able to accumulate in humans and animals and are toxic”.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 13.7 million people — one in every four — die each year from diseases caused by “air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate change and ultraviolet radiation”, caused by human activity.
Human chemical emissions are thus responsible for the largest mass killing in history.
Learn more and register for the conference here (link in profile): www.fullcycleconference.com.au
There will be a free community expo on Saturday 22 November at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba.
Conference volunteers receive free registration. Email planetaryhealthevents@bmcc.nsw.gov.au if you’d like to volunteer at this critically important event.
T`ai-chi and Qigong routines can increase mobility and strength, improve immunity and help build an inner calm. To get the greatest health impact you need to practice them on a regular basis, so we`re thrilled to now be offering a 6-week block of classes to take you into summer starting 9am this Saturday 1 November and running until Sat 6 December. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4qrw4Nx This Saturday, 1 November, the activity is also the first in a full day of Skill Share activities at the Centre that includes Seed Saving and Gardening from 10am, and Planetary Health Bushcare from 1.30pm. You can book in for Bushcare here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/49k8PPo Contact Lis on 0407 437 553 for more information.
Dave Spees, Katoomba-based carpenter and founder of Against the Grain, has turned the by-product of his craft into a sustainable, sought-after winter fuel. His compressed sawdust briquettes are now helping to heat homes across the Blue Mountains, all while dramatically reducing landfill waste.
