Please note that this is an on-going project.
Project Description
Griffith Planetary Health Club is a multidisciplinary student association at Griffith University that fosters and promotes health and sustainability. The club’s goals are to connect with like-minded people, connect with nature, and grow together through shared experiences and environmental stewardship; to drive meaningful change, the club advocates for actionable solutions and understands climate change’s causes, risks, and outcomes; to be a leader of change, driving progress through commitment and innovation and by integrating diverse ideas and perspectives.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
Students, staff, and academics at Griffith University participated in the activities of the Griffith Planetary Health Club.
Outcomes to Date
Since its establishment, the Griffith Planetary Health Club has held 15 bi-weekly meetings and events. These include social lunches focused on discussing environmental issues, movie screenings, club stalls, and brainstorming sessions on waste management. As of November 2024, the club has a total of 24 members. Several club committee members have participated in international conferences related to environmental health, such as the Planetary Health Annual Meeting 2024 in Malaysia and the 6th Asia-Pacific Green Healthcare System Conference in Vietnam. In November 2024, one of the club committee members was honoured with the prestigious 2024 Gold Coast Student Excellence in Protecting our Environment Award, recognising her dedication to environmental protection through the activities of the Griffith Planetary Health Club.
Project Significance
The Griffith Planetary Health Club champions Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action by raising awareness about the impact of climate change on ecosystems and human health. They organise various activities, including climate change awareness movie screenings and interactive initiatives during orientation week that promote low-carbon, healthy diets.
Additionally, the club conducted hands-on educational sessions for children about marine litter and ran a social media campaign focused on fashion repair during the Logan Eco Action Festival (LEAF) at Griffith University’s Logan Campus. These efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, aiming to minimise waste generation and improve waste management.
Furthermore, the Griffith Planetary Health Club has taken the lead in introducing biodiversity initiatives at Griffith University’s Gold Coast Campus. They conduct guided “Sustainability and Biodiversity Walks” led by university experts to engage students and staff. These activities support Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land by promoting the protection of species across campus.