Challenges

23 pages, 2226 KB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying Food Waste Produced in Dormitories: A Case Study from a University in New York, USA

by Susan M. Kilgore, Kathryn E. Krasinski, Morenike A. Olushola-Oni, Chani Lieu, Chelsea Javier, Jose Perdomo Baca and Brei Snyder

Challenges 2026, 17(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010011 - 18 Mar 2026

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Abstract

Food waste is an issue that affects human and environmental health around the planet. At colleges and universities, food waste poses a serious concern, as its impact can be compared to that of mini-cities or large corporations. Identifying an institution’s capacity to reduce [...] Read more.

Food waste is an issue that affects human and environmental health around the planet. At colleges and universities, food waste poses a serious concern, as its impact can be compared to that of mini-cities or large corporations. Identifying an institution’s capacity to reduce and redistribute food waste is critical to decreasing its carbon footprint and maintaining sustainability. Understanding the nature of waste produced at a university’s buildings is the first step in establishing effective waste management plans; however, campus cafeterias, being the primary source of food waste, are typically the focus. Limited research emphasis has been placed on assessing food waste generated in campus dormitories. This project tests the hypothesis that food waste generated from dormitories at the main campus of Adelphi University, a private liberal arts institution in New York, is a significant component of waste. To analyze post-consumer trash disposal patterns, garbology methods were utilized. Trash collected at dormitories between 2022 and 2024 was sorted and weighed. This mixed-methods analysis included student interviews of waste perceptions. Food waste was the primary waste type generated in the halls, followed by food and beverage packaging, including containers, napkins, and utensils. In particular, food waste comprised 32% of sampled dormitory waste. Interview results integrated with these quantitative results demonstrated student perceptions of food led to food waste, such as perceived level of cooking, portion sizes, and home context. These results suggest that any efforts to improve campus sustainability through management of food waste–such as composting or anaerobic digestion–must encompass dormitories as well as cafeterias. As the world’s population continues to rise at a rapid pace, primarily in metropolitan areas, the volume of waste generated by this growth must be managed to address planetary health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Solutions for Health and Sustainability)

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22 pages, 1600 KB

Open AccessEssay

Our Common Home: Embracing Spiritual Tenets Within a Novel Integrative Environmental Health Promotion Framework to Advance People, Place, and Planetary (3P) Health

by Molly M. Scanlon

Challenges 2026, 17(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010010 - 28 Feb 2026

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Abstract

This essay poses a novel integrative environmental health promotion (EHP) framework inclusive of spiritual tenets to increase interdisciplinary science as well as public engagement for improved people, place, and planetary (3P) health outcomes. Environmental public health professionals have typically relied upon quantitative scientific [...] Read more.

This essay poses a novel integrative environmental health promotion (EHP) framework inclusive of spiritual tenets to increase interdisciplinary science as well as public engagement for improved people, place, and planetary (3P) health outcomes. Environmental public health professionals have typically relied upon quantitative scientific evidence related to negative human health outcomes from toxic exposures. Environmental health lags behind more progressive mixed-methods research frameworks leveraging health promotion and 3P health initiatives. This essay argues for a novel integrative EHP framework to encourage more mixed-methods research based on merging an integrative health (body-mind-spirit) perspective and the public health ecological model. Using a three-dimensional Cartesian Coordinate System, the author developed a visual integrative EHP framework with the future ability to record, interpret, and report data with units of measure in three dimensions rather than the traditional x- and y-axis variable relationships. The long-term goal is to engage researchers, study participants, and the general public in exploring new 3P health research and outcomes inclusive of the spiritual axis to leverage more scientific evidence for the care and nurturing of our common home as a basic tenet of civil society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nurturing Connected Consciousness in the Anthropocene: Addressing Calls for Cultural and Spiritual Transformation as a Path to Personal, Collective, and Planetary Health)

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19 pages, 383 KB

Open AccessEssay

Grassroots-Led Democratized Plastic Governance as a Pathway to Advancing Planetary Health

by Ahmed Tiamiyu and Jubril Gbolahan Adigun

Challenges 2026, 17(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010009 - 26 Feb 2026

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Abstract

Plastic pollution constitutes a critical planetary health challenge, undermining the integrity of Earth systems while generating cascading harms to human health, livelihoods, and social equity particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Conventional top-down regulatory and technological responses have proven insufficient to address the [...] Read more.

Plastic pollution constitutes a critical planetary health challenge, undermining the integrity of Earth systems while generating cascading harms to human health, livelihoods, and social equity particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Conventional top-down regulatory and technological responses have proven insufficient to address the complexity of plastic pollution, often excluding those most affected from decision-making and solution design. This paper examines how democratizing plastic governance through grassroots leadership can advance planetary health by simultaneously protecting ecosystems, improving human well-being, and strengthening socio-ecological resilience. Drawing on empirical evidence from the #RestorationX10000 initiative led by Community Action Against Plastic Waste (CAPws), this paper documents implementation processes and outcomes achieved between 2021 and 2025 across 71 impacted communities in 21 countries spanning Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. The initiative was designed to empower 10,000 youths and women as community leaders, practitioners, and advocates by equipping them with leadership, technical, and policy engagement skills to drive systemic change in plastic governance and circular economy practice. Using a transdisciplinary, community-based action research approach aligned with planetary health principles, the initiative integrates capacity building, citizen science, circular economy interventions (collection, sorting, repair, reuse, repurposing, and recycling), and policy advocacy. Quantitative and qualitative evidence demonstrates that grassroots-led interventions can simultaneously reduce plastic leakage, create decent green livelihoods, and strengthen environmental governance. We argue that inclusive, community-centered plastic governance is not only an environmental intervention but a planetary health strategy, offering policy-relevant insights for national plastic action plans, extended producer responsibility frameworks, and global negotiations toward a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Planetary Health: Urgency and Agency for Systems Change. Including Submissions Associated with the 2025 Planetary Health Annual Meeting (PHAM2025))

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11 pages, 228 KB

Open AccessArticle

Planetary Health and Educational System Resilience: Lessons from COVID-19 Disruptions to Special Education Evaluation Systems

by Marie Gomez Goff

Challenges 2026, 17(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010008 - 5 Feb 2026

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Abstract

Early pandemic disruptions exposed critical vulnerabilities in special education systems, particularly in referral and evaluation processes governed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This convergent mixed-methods study examined how 86 educational diagnosticians across Louisiana experienced and responded to these disruptions. Quantitative [...] Read more.

Early pandemic disruptions exposed critical vulnerabilities in special education systems, particularly in referral and evaluation processes governed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This convergent mixed-methods study examined how 86 educational diagnosticians across Louisiana experienced and responded to these disruptions. Quantitative results showed a 38% decline in referrals during school closures followed by a 62% rebound, prolonged evaluation timelines, and notable increases in emotional/behavioral disabilities, other health impairments, and specific learning disabilities. Qualitative findings elaborated on these patterns, revealing challenges related to assessment validity, communication barriers, workload strain, and professional learning needs. Interpreted through systems theory and planetary health frameworks, the findings position special education evaluation systems as critical social infrastructure that links educational continuity, equity, and population well-being. Strengthening diagnostic capacity, digital infrastructure, and crisis-responsive practices is therefore essential not only for IDEA compliance, but for advancing planetary health goals related to resilience, justice, and sustainable human development. Full article

18 pages, 2386 KB

Open AccessReview

Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Sustainable Animal-Source Food Production

by Sadhana Ojha, Rishav Kumar, Meena Goswami, Vikas Pathak, Kritima Kapoor and Mukesh Gangwar

Challenges 2026, 17(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010007 - 2 Feb 2026

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Abstract

Livestock contributes to economic stability and food security by providing income, employment, and nutrient-dense animal-source foods, particularly in low- and middle-income regions. However, the sector is also a major source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, primarily methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide, raising [...] Read more.

Livestock contributes to economic stability and food security by providing income, employment, and nutrient-dense animal-source foods, particularly in low- and middle-income regions. However, the sector is also a major source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, primarily methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide, raising growing environmental and public health concerns. This review synthesizes current evidence on strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from livestock systems while safeguarding productivity, food security, and human health. Emphasis is placed on the need to balance supply-side mitigation measures with demand-side interventions to avoid unintended nutritional and socio-economic consequences. Key supply-side approaches discussed include genetic improvement, optimized feeding strategies, manure and land resource management, and system-level efficiency gains. Demand-side strategies include food loss and waste reduction, shifts toward sustainable dietary patterns, and the development of alternative protein sources. Central to this review is the integration of these approaches within a planetary health framework, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability, human and animal health, and socio-economic resilience. The review underscores that mitigation policies should be context-specific, equity-focused, and health-centered to ensure that climate goals are met without compromising access to affordable, nutritious foods. Collectively, the evidence indicates that coordinated policy action across production, consumption, and health systems is essential for achieving sustainable animal-source food production with reduced climate impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Solutions for Health and Sustainability)

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21 pages, 2627 KB

Open AccessPerspective

Embodied Neuroplasticity: Exploring Biological and Molecular Pathways of Inner Development for Planetary Health

by Karen B. Kirkness

Challenges 2026, 17(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010006 - 30 Jan 2026

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Abstract

Understanding how inner development capacities are embodied at biological levels remains an underexplored dimension of planetary health research. The aim of this viewpoint is to provide transdisciplinary integration across neuroscience, cell biology, education, and social systems toward addressing planetary health challenges. Despite growing [...] Read more.

Understanding how inner development capacities are embodied at biological levels remains an underexplored dimension of planetary health research. The aim of this viewpoint is to provide transdisciplinary integration across neuroscience, cell biology, education, and social systems toward addressing planetary health challenges. Despite growing recognition of the Inner Development Goals (IDG) framework as complementary to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the biophysical dynamics underlying personal and collective transformation remain largely unexplored. This viewpoint presents key molecular pathways that may underpin the Embodied Neuroplastic Resilience Model (ENRM) via calcium signaling and hyaluronan (the CHA axis). This viewpoint explores educational and therapeutic implications while simultaneously illuminating how socioeconomic inequalities constrain access to neuroplasticity-supporting practices. Four key conclusions emerge: (1) The CHA axis provides a compelling mechanistic framework for understanding how bodily experiences can reshape neural circuits through calcium signaling and hyaluronic acid matrix dynamics; (2) Mapping molecular mechanisms to complex human inner development capacities remains provisional, requiring further interdisciplinary investigation; (3) Socioeconomic inequality creates structural barriers to neuroplasticity and inner development, necessitating an integrated approach that connects mechanistic understanding with equitable access to transformative practices; (4) Enhanced understanding of embodied neuroplasticity must serve compassion and systemic transformation, moving beyond individual optimization toward collective well-being. By bridging neuroscience and sustainability frameworks, this viewpoint calls for a nuanced understanding of inner development that transcends individual optimization and emphasizes collective transformation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship between Sustainability and Inner Development: Towards More Integrative Worldviews, Paradigms, and Actions)

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Graphical abstract

22 pages, 659 KB

Open AccessArticle

Young Adults’ Perceptions of Sustainable Diets: A Comparison Across Five High- and Middle-Income Countries

by Jess Haines, Kate Parizeau, Katherine F. Eckert, Fumi Hayashi, Yukari Takemi, Siti Helmyati, Widjaja Lukito, Ludovica Principato, Martina Toni, Nimbe Torres, Diana De Jesús-Jacintos and Wendelin Slusser

Challenges 2026, 17(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010005 - 24 Jan 2026

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Abstract

Sustainable diet transitions are required to protect human and planetary health, and consumers are important food systems actors who can foster positive changes. However, little is known about how consumers perceive the concept of sustainable diets. This study explored perceptions of sustainable diets [...] Read more.

Sustainable diet transitions are required to protect human and planetary health, and consumers are important food systems actors who can foster positive changes. However, little is known about how consumers perceive the concept of sustainable diets. This study explored perceptions of sustainable diets across five high- and middle-income countries: Japan, Indonesia, Italy, Canada, and Mexico. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 184 young adults (30–45 per country), and transcripts were analyzed using values coding to understand the values, attitudes, and beliefs that shape behaviours related to sustainable diets. Results revealed that defining “sustainable eating” was challenging for participants across all countries. While participants’ values regarding sustainable diets were often context-specific with marked differences across countries, common themes across countries included concern about food waste and packaging and the belief that sustainability should be the responsibility of all actors across the food system, not just the individual. These findings indicate that food policy should address both individual and systemic dimensions of food sustainability, specifically prioritizing strategies for waste and packaging infrastructure. Furthermore, public health strategies must be values-oriented and culturally tailored to ensure they resonate with local consumer priorities. Full article

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18 pages, 557 KB

Open AccessArticle

Housing Retrofit at Scale: A Diffusion of Innovations Perspective for Planetary Health and Human Well-Being

by Chamara Panakaduwa, Paul Coates, Nishan Mallikarachchi, Harshi Bamunuachchige and Srimal Samansiri

Challenges 2026, 17(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010004 - 16 Jan 2026

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Abstract

Housing stock is observed to be associated with high carbon emissions, high fuel poverty and low comfort levels in the UK. Retrofitting the housing stock is one of the best solutions to address these problems. This paper directly corresponds with human and planetary [...] Read more.

Housing stock is observed to be associated with high carbon emissions, high fuel poverty and low comfort levels in the UK. Retrofitting the housing stock is one of the best solutions to address these problems. This paper directly corresponds with human and planetary health in terms of climate change, human health and mental health by addressing the challenges of housing retrofit at scale. Retrofitting houses can also contribute to social equity, reduced use of planetary resources and better financial and physical comfort. Despite the availability of the right technology, government grants and the potential to acquire supply chain and skilled labour, the progress of retrofit is extremely poor. Importantly, the UK is off track to achieve net zero by 2050, and the housing stock contributes 18.72% of the total emissions. The problem is further exacerbated by the 30.4 million units of housing stock. Robust strategies are required to retrofit the housing stock at scale. The study uses a qualitative modelling method under the diffusion of innovations theory to formulate a retrofit-at-scale strategy for the UK. Findings recommend focusing on skill development, show homes, research and innovation, supply chain development, business models, government grants and regulatory tools in a trajectory from 2025 to 2050. The proposed strategy is aligned with the segments of the diffusion of innovation theory. Although the analysis was performed with reference to the UK, the findings are transferable, considering the broader and urgent concerns related to human and planetary health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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28 pages, 2385 KB

Open AccessViewpoint

Conscious Food Systems: Supporting Farmers’ Well-Being and Psychological Resilience

by Julia Wright, Janus Bojesen Jensen, Charlotte Dufour, Noemi Altobelli, Dan McTiernan, Hannah Gosnell, Susan L. Prescott and Thomas Legrand

Challenges 2026, 17(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010003 - 15 Jan 2026

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Abstract

Amid escalating ecological degradation, social fragmentation, and rising mental health challenges—especially in rural and agricultural communities—there is an urgent need to reimagine systems that support both planetary and human flourishing. This viewpoint examines an emerging paradigm in agriculture that emphasizes the role of [...] Read more.

Amid escalating ecological degradation, social fragmentation, and rising mental health challenges—especially in rural and agricultural communities—there is an urgent need to reimagine systems that support both planetary and human flourishing. This viewpoint examines an emerging paradigm in agriculture that emphasizes the role of farmers’ inner development in fostering practices that enhance ecological health, community well-being, and a resilient food system. A key goal is to draw more academic attention to growing community calls for more holistic, relational, and spiritually grounded approaches to food systems as an important focus for ongoing research. Drawing on diverse case studies from Japan, India, and Europe, we examine how small-scale and natural farming initiatives are integrating inner development, universal human values, and ecological consciousness. These case studies were developed and/or refined through a program led by the Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA), an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that seeks to integrate inner transformation with sustainable food systems change. The initiatives are intended as illustrative examples of how agriculture can transcend its conventional, anthropocentric role as a food production system to become a site for cultivating deeper self-awareness, spiritual connection, and regenerative relationships with nature. Participants in these cases reported significant shifts in mindset—from materialistic and extractive worldviews to more relational and value-driven orientations rooted in care, cooperation, and sustainability. Core practices such as mindfulness, experiential learning, and spiritual ecology helped reframe farming as a holistic process that nurtures both land and life. These exploratory case studies suggest that when farmers are supported in aligning with inner values and natural systems, they become empowered as agents of systemic change. By linking personal growth with planetary stewardship, these models offer pathways toward more integrated, life-affirming approaches to agriculture and future academic research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology and Conscious Food Systems for Flourishing of People, Places, and Planet)

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18 pages, 1749 KB

Open AccessArticle

Forestland Resource Exploitation Challenges and Opportunities in the Campo Ma’an Landscape, Cameroon

by Raoul Ndikebeng Kometa, Cletus Fru Forba, Wanie Clarkson Mvo and Jude Ndzifon Kimengsi

Challenges 2026, 17(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010002 - 31 Dec 2025

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Abstract

The global literature underscores a set of human wellbeing challenges and opportunities for forestland exploitation, albeit the lack of region-specific evidence. This concerns the Congo Basin, the second-largest forest ecosystem in the world. This study uses the case of the Campo Ma’an Landscape [...] Read more.

The global literature underscores a set of human wellbeing challenges and opportunities for forestland exploitation, albeit the lack of region-specific evidence. This concerns the Congo Basin, the second-largest forest ecosystem in the world. This study uses the case of the Campo Ma’an Landscape to: (i) analyze the challenges linked to the exploitation of forestland resources, and (ii) explore forest resource exploitation opportunities in the landscape. The study employed a random sample of 200 natural resource-dependent households drawn from four study zones—Niete, Campo, Ma’an and Akom II. This was complemented by focus group discussions (n = 4), key informant (n = 6) and expert (n = 6) interviews. The descriptive and inferential analyses led to the following results: First, economic, technical, socio-cultural and institutional challenges affect the sustainable exploitation of forestland resources in the Campo Ma’an Landscape. The economic challenges of forest (B = −0.389, p = 0.01) and land resource exploitation (B = −0.423, p = 0.006) significantly affect sustainable exploitation compared to other challenges, leading to biodiversity loss and deforestation. These constitute a threat to planetary health systems. Almost all households rely on forestland resources for their livelihoods and development, with opportunities for land resource exploitation outweighing those in forest resource exploitation. Protected area management and agriculture are affected owing to competing interests among farmers, conservationists and other land users. Thus, short-term economic gains are prioritized over long-term sustainability, putting the resource landscape at risk of degradation and future uncertainties. Integrated stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and policy revision could enhance the planetary health approach by linking the social, economic and environmental dimensions of forestland resource management. Full article

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26 pages, 1828 KB

Open AccessArticle

Earth Awareness: Mapping an Emergent Relational Field

by Stephen M. Posner

Challenges 2026, 17(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010001 - 22 Dec 2025

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Abstract

Amidst deepening ecological disruption and widespread disconnection from nature, this study explores the emerging field of Earth Awareness (EA) as a relational and experiential aspect of advancing planetary health. EA practices—rooted in Buddhist, Indigenous, mindfulness, and nature-based traditions—support direct experiences of interconnectedness with [...] Read more.

Amidst deepening ecological disruption and widespread disconnection from nature, this study explores the emerging field of Earth Awareness (EA) as a relational and experiential aspect of advancing planetary health. EA practices—rooted in Buddhist, Indigenous, mindfulness, and nature-based traditions—support direct experiences of interconnectedness with Earth, ecological awareness and consciousness, and opportunities to transform underlying patterns and systems. Through 45 reflective dialogues with teachers and practitioners across traditions, this participatory research identifies common inspirations, intentions, and challenges that shape the emerging EA field. Findings reveal that EA is characterized by contemplative practices, rituals, and ceremonies that bridge inner transformation and outer action in the world. Central intentions such as healing, interconnectedness, and justice align closely with planetary health priorities, including mental well-being, equity, and stewardship of the living world. Although the field faces challenges related to access, risk of cultural appropriation, and systemic separation, participants identified opportunities for community building, intercultural exchange, and centering Earth as teacher and co-participant. By mapping coherence in this diverse field, this study highlights EA’s potential to contribute to planetary health by reconnecting people with place, fostering a more ecological consciousness, and supporting culturally grounded pathways for collective action and care for Earth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nurturing Connected Consciousness in the Anthropocene: Addressing Calls for Cultural and Spiritual Transformation as a Path to Personal, Collective, and Planetary Health)

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Challenges, Volume 17, Issue 1 (March 2026) – 11 articles

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