Health in the Anthropocene
As a deadly pandemic rips through global civilization and the pernicious effects of climate change become manifest, it becomes clear that the first casualty of the human domination of the planet's systems is our own health and well-being. This course will offer a comprehensive survey of the primary factors that determine the quality of human life in the Anthropocene, including ecological overshoot and the limits to growth, climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem services, emerging infectious disease, social capital, inequality and the global consumer society. We will explore models that situate human health in the context of the health of the biosphere, such as One Health and EcoHealth. Last, we will critically evaluate visions of a future in which all life, including human life, can thrive.