Springer Nature announces partnership

Springer Nature and the University of Tokyo have announced they will be hosting a symposium titled “Planetary Health for Sustainability: Towards transformative solutions for a Healthy Planet” to bring together researchers in Japan, alongside members of the wider community to discuss the links between human health, environmental change and the consequences for planetary health. A rapid acceleration of human impacts on the environment - resulting in climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution - has led to growing calls to develop and implement, including actions to ensure the long-term health of both humans and the wider ecosystem.

Springer Nature says the symposium will take place on February 27, 2024, and will consist of a number of talks from some of Japan’s renowned researchers working at the interface of planetary health and the SDGs and Magdalena Skipper, editor in chief of Nature. The presenters will actively discuss how research can pave the way to equitable solutions to these significant challenges. This event marks the fifth SDGs symposium organised in partnership between Springer Nature and the University of Tokyo.

Registration for this event is free and anyone interested in sustainability research at the interface of SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) is welcome to join, click here for further information.

Speaking on the symposium, Magdalena Skipper, editor in chief of Nature and Chief Editorial Adviser for the Nature portfolio said: “Planetary health is critical to maintain a sustainable society and ecosystem for the present and coming generations. Crucially, we must break down the silos to address pressing issues such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, food crisis and poverty, which will require solutions across research disciplines. It truly is time for all to focus on One Health.

“Multidisciplinary journals such as Nature play an important role in advancing discovery and disseminating evidence-based sustainability research upon which all relevant policies should be based. We are delighted to partner with the University of Tokyo to advance the discussions around the SDGs. This symposium will look into science in Japan and discuss how it can provide solutions to the challenges that we face in planetary health.”

Also speaking on the symposium, Teruo Fujii, president of the University of Tokyo said: "Planetary health is vital for our future society and is of great interest worldwide. Beyond the world class research at this interface of human health and the environment conducted in many departments across the university, we have been forging strong partnerships with stakeholders outside academia in order to foster the next generation and to solve social issues by quickly putting cutting-edge research into practical use.

“We strongly believe that collaborative efforts are essential for tackling the complex global issues confronting today’s world such as planetary health and sustainability. Through this symposium, we are delighted to continue our strong partnership with Springer Nature, and to welcome to our university some of the leading planetary health researchers and professionals.

“We are also looking forward to seeing the research results and proposals of up-and-coming researchers and students in person at the poster session.”

Spinger Nature outlined the speakers for this symposium are as follows (in order of appearance):

• Chiho Watanabe (professor and executive advisor to the president (Planetary Health), Nagasaki University)
• Magdalena Skipper (editor-in-chief, Nature, chief editorial advisor, Nature Portfolio)
• Yoonhee Kim (associate professor, The University of Tokyo)
• Nobuo Nishi (dean and professor, St. Luke’s International University)
• Saori Kashima (associate professor, Hiroshima University)
• Emiko Nishimura (director, global health team, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA))

More on Springer Nature’s commitment to, and engagement with the SDGs can be found at its SDG programme website.