Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), together with the Department of Global Health Policy (GHP) at The University of Tokyo, hosted a public lecture titled “Planetary Health: Redesigning Our Future, Restoring the World” with Dr. Renzo Guinto, Associate Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore. The event was further supported by student organizations, including the Asian Medical Students’ Association Japan (AMSA Japan) and the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations Japan (IFMSA-Japan).

The lecture, held on Friday, February 4, 2025, at The University of Tokyo’s Hongo Campus, gathered approximately 50 participants, including students, researchers, and professionals from various disciplines. Dr. Guinto, a leading voice in planetary health, highlighted the urgent need for interdisciplinary approaches to address global environmental and health challenges.

During his presentation, Dr. Guinto provided a comprehensive overview of planetary health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human health and environmental sustainability. He discussed global challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, and showcased international efforts driving innovative solutions. Importantly, he encouraged participants to consider careers beyond traditional health and medical fields, advocating for cross-sector collaboration to build a healthier and more sustainable world.

Following the lecture, an interactive Q&A session sparked thought-provoking discussions on planetary health and the role of individuals and communities in addressing environmental challenges. Participants raised questions about climate anxiety and how young leaders can stay motivated in the face of growing environmental concerns. The discussion also touched on behavioral change, with participants asking how individuals and societies can adopt more environmentally conscious lifestyles and promote sustainable practices in their daily lives.

The event concluded with a networking session, where participants engaged directly with Dr. Guinto and others, further discussing topics such as youth leadership, local initiatives in planetary health, and career paths in the field. The dialogue reinforced the importance of multi-sectoral cooperation and encouraged participants to consider interdisciplinary approaches in their future work.

The event successfully fostered meaningful conversations on planetary health, inspiring those who attended to take action in their respective fields and explore new ways to contribute to global health and sustainability.

[Event Overview]

• Date & Time: Tuesday, February 4, 2025; 16:00-18:00
• Format: In-Person
• Venue: The University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus (7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo)
• Language: English (No translation)
• Participation Fee: Free
• Organized by: Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), Department of Global Health Policy (GHP), Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
• In partnership with:
  Asian Medical Students’ Association Japan (AMSA Japan)
  International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA-Japan)

[Program] (Titles omitted)

◼︎Speaker Profile

Renzo Guinto (Associate Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore)
Renzo R. Guinto, MD DrPH is Associate Professor of Global and Planetary Health at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI), Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore. Hailing from the Philippines, Renzo is one of the world’s pioneers and leading voices in the new field of planetary health. He works on diverse aspects of the climate and health nexus such as climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems; impacts of climate change on mental health; climate, migration, and health, among others. As a “pracademic” bridging the worlds of academia and policy, Renzo has played important advisory roles, such as in the Philippines’s Climate Change Commission, World Health Organization’s Technical Advisory Group on the ethics of climate and health, and several Lancet Commissions. To promote planetary health in the Asia-Pacific and globally, he has pioneered innovations in planetary health education and research, and led and established committees, networks, and institutions. Renzo has served as chair of the Thematic Working Group on Climate Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems of Health Systems Global, chair of the Committee on Environmental Health and Ecology of the Philippine Medical Association, and convener of Planetary Health Philippines. For his leadership and scholarship, Renzo has received numerous accolades – he was named an Obama Asia-Pacific Leader in 2019 and one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines in 2022.