Students using the thermal imaging camera to measure heat differences.
Story and photographs by Louis Wauters
Visiting Belgian medical graduate Louis Wauters reports on the recent visit by medical students from the Rural Clinical School of the University of Notre Dame to the Blue Mountains Planetary Health precinct in Katoomba, and what they learnt about the connection between human health and planetary health.
Key Points:
The Rural Clinical School of the University of Notre Dame in Lithgow, together with the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative, have been introducing first year medical students to rural medicine, Aboriginal Health and Planetary Health.
In Australia, heatwaves kill more people than all other natural disasters combined and we need to prepare now in a whole-of-community response to reduce the urban heat island effect and its impact on public health and biodiversity.
Better water management with increasing green spaces can reduce the heat island effect. The difference between the temperatures of paved areas in full sun and shaded areas under a large tree can be 30C or more on a warm sunny day.
Last week I had the privilege to join the Rural Intensive run by the rural clinical school of the University of Notre Dame in Lithgow. Approximately 150 first year medical students visited the Lithgow and the Blue Mountains region to learn about rural medicine, Aboriginal health and Planetary Health.
During these two days the students experienced a panel discussion about the beauty and challenges of rural health, medical workshops in Lithgow hospital, a snake bite initiation, a guided First Nations tour, and a visit to the Planetary Health Precinct in Katoomba.
The panel discussion highlighted the importance of rural healthcare and its challenges, and provided an opportunity for rural general practitioners and rural emergency doctors to share their stories and their love for working in a rural community.
At the medical workshops I met Georgia Faith, a biology teacher from Lithgow High School. She was attending the rural intensive days with a selection of year 11 and year 12 High School students who had an interest in medicine. Georgia told me: “It is an incredible opportunity to interact with the university and I think the students got a lot out of the experience”.
Louis Wauters talks about the connection between planetary health and preventative medicine, and what drew him to come here to learn more.
The first day ended with a visit to a Lithgow farm to learn about life and health on a farm, infectious diseases that are transmitted from animals, and how to tackle snake bites.
First year medical students experiencing Aboriginal culture
The First Nations guided tour for me was one of the highlights of the two days as I had no previous experience with Aboriginal culture or Aboriginal health. We were welcomed by a guide, Yamandirra, who introduced us to Aboriginal culture.
The tour began with a cleansing ritual and some background information on Country. Afterwards we walked through Katoomba’s beautiful bushland, and we learned about nature, the Mother, and our connection to it.
Students experiencing a guided First Nations tour
Along the trail we encountered plants with antibacterial properties, with enormous vitamin D content, and with amazing scents. The guide told us about the origin of the Three Sisters and through this explained the importance of community and stories in Aboriginal culture. At the end of this tour we made our way to the Planetary Health Precinct.
Professor Lynne Madden from Notre Dame University at the Planetary Health Precinct
During the visit at the Planetary Health Precinct the students first received an introduction to the concept of Planetary Health. This emphasised not only the interconnectedness between the health of humans and a healthy environment, but also the role physicians and the healthcare sector must play in this.
They were taught about heatwaves, which, in Australia, kill more people than all other natural disasters combined, and the need for medical professionals to understand how to reduce the impact of heatwaves on public health.
Saskia Everingham on the experiences of the Notre Dame medical students at the Planetary Health Precinct in Katoomba.
The Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative presentation focused on how public health is impacted by the larger natural and social systems we live within, and how we can all work together to change those systems to get better health outcomes.
It particularly focused on water as one of the most critical natural systems we need to understand so that we can reduce future disaster risk. It talked about the need to store water in vegetation, soil and underground to moderate the climate and reduce the severity of climate change impacts.
It was interesting to hear how the more water there is in a substance the cooler it will be in summer and the warmer it will be in winter. For example, grass is much cooler in summer (and warmer in winter) than woodchip, pavers or astroturf!
It emphasised the need to reduce evaporation to keep water ‘on earth’ so that it can support more life. Increased evaporation, especially during heatwaves, also adds to humidity and increases the greenhouse effect. The Planetary Health Initiative presentation also highlighted the importance of collaboration between GPs, local government and community to reduce the risk of disasters and improve public health. Doctors around the world are now prescribing ‘nature’ and ‘social connection’ to improve both mental and physical health and local governments provide many such opportunities, with activities like Bushcare and arts and cultural programs and access to communal spaces like libraries and cultural centres.
It also showcased how its Neighbourhood Local News initiative was connecting communities, and sharing solutions and inspiring stories to grow a more hopeful future.
Lis Bastian from the Planetary Health Initiative speaking to one of four groups of students.
Afterwards the students were divided into groups to get hands-on experience in designing spaces to reduce the heat island effect. Each group used a thermal imaging camera to measure the surface heat of different objects and materials. The sunny conditions were ideal to measure the different temperatures of areas in shade or full sun, and of pavement and asphalt, tiles, astroturf, mulch, grass, trees and other vegetation.
Students using the thermal imaging camera to measure heat differences.
The students then discussed their observations and remarked on the temperature differences: even between light and dark coloured surfaces. The importance of shade and the benefits of natural shade, which is cooler, versus man-made shade, was particularly obvious. It wasn’t a very hot day, but the students were surprised to see that there was a 30C difference between the shade under a large tree and a paved area in full sun. They also discussed the need for ventilation, both mechanical and natural.
Most students didn’t know about Planetary Health or had only been briefly introduced to it in an assignment. They were visibly interested and were thankful for the experience and the lessons they learned. As Kiaro said, “I thought it was really important, what they touched upon, how everyone can contribute to daily life”.
So many of the activities of the two days were memorable but what mostly stayed with me was the sense of community I experienced at the rural clinic in Lithgow. To see how the professors, lecturers, students, staff, even the Head of the Rural School, all worked together was heartwarming.
Everyone came together in a spirit of camaraderie to share knowledge and experience with a new generation. This for me seemed the biggest strength of a rural setting for a physician. There was a true sense of community; of being welcomed and feeling at home: even for someone from the other side of the planet.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
The KTOWN pickers - Katoombans Taking On Waste Now - are clearing litter from local tracks and streets and stopping it from entering our waterways and eventually our water supply. Read more in Katoomba Area Local News (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/ktown-katoombans-taking-on-waste-now/
This Saturday will be the first meeting of the Upper Mountains Seed Saving and Gardening Group at the Planetary Health Centre, starting at 10am. Register your interest here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3LalNFy
It will be followed by the Planetary Health Bushcare group at 1.30pm. Register your interest here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/49k8PPo
Global poisoning by a tsunami of toxins that are flooding the planet is fast becoming the biggest threat to life on earth. Extreme weather events like fire and flood accelerate this chemical pollution. To address this the Planetary Health Centre`s Full Cycle 2025 conference from 20-22 Nov is bringing together leading experts in managing extreme weather events as well as those who are working on reducing the risk of hazardous materials like asbestos and PFAS. According to keynote speaker Julian Cribb:
"The poisoning of our planet through human chemical emissions is arguably the largest human impact of all upon the Earth. In volume, it is four to five times greater than our climate emissions (which are a part of it), and three times more lethal than the estimated climate death-toll. It is the mega-threat least understood by society, monitored by science or regulated by government. It has mainly occurred over the last 50 years, due to a massive global surge in chemical use and materials extraction.
Scientific assessment has identified more than 350,000 man-made chemicals. The US Department of Health estimates 2000 new chemicals go on the market every year and the Smithsonian says 1000 new compounds are now being synthesised every hour. The UN Environment Program warns about a third of these “are persistent, able to accumulate in humans and animals and are toxic”.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 13.7 million people — one in every four — die each year from diseases caused by “air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate change and ultraviolet radiation”, caused by human activity.
Human chemical emissions are thus responsible for the largest mass killing in history.
Learn more and register for the conference here (link in profile): www.fullcycleconference.com.au
There will be a free community expo on Saturday 22 November at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba.
Conference volunteers receive free registration. Email planetaryhealthevents@bmcc.nsw.gov.au if you’d like to volunteer at this critically important event.
T`ai-chi and Qigong routines can increase mobility and strength, improve immunity and help build an inner calm. To get the greatest health impact you need to practice them on a regular basis, so we`re thrilled to now be offering a 6-week block of classes to take you into summer starting 9am this Saturday 1 November and running until Sat 6 December. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4qrw4Nx This Saturday, 1 November, the activity is also the first in a full day of Skill Share activities at the Centre that includes Seed Saving and Gardening from 10am, and Planetary Health Bushcare from 1.30pm. You can book in for Bushcare here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/49k8PPo Contact Lis on 0407 437 553 for more information.
Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be meeting again at the Planetary Health Centre at 6pm on Monday 27 October. Register at this link if you`d like to attend! (link in profile) https://events.humanitix.com/rotarians-4-planetary-health-l7bb4qhr?
Thank you to everyone who popped by for the @ediblegardentrailbluemountains today! It was a great day discussing gardens, ponds, frogs, seeds, composting seats, wicking beds and how to restore the hydrological cycle! Next Saturday will be our Skill Share Saturday. We`ll be kickstarting a 6-week block of Tai Chi & Qigong at 9am, launching our Seed Saving and Gardening Group at 10am and running our monthly Bushcare Group at 1.30pm. You can book in for Tai Chi here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/tai-chi-and-qigong-six-week-block-spring-2025-qaw2ts2v and to Bushcare here (link also in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-bushcare-spring-summer-2025
The Planetary Health Centre is on the Edible Garden Trail today! Last week we launched the Upper Mountains Seed Savers and Gardening Group. Come along to learn more, enjoy a coffee in our garden, and pick up a free Vegetable and Flower Sowing Guide. We`re open from 10am. You can find us at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Tickets for the Edible Garden Trail available here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-edible-garden-trail-2025
The Planetary Health newsletter is now out. Read about three days of innovation at the upcoming Full Cycle Conference in Nov, the Edible Garden Trail this weekend, and a six week block of Tai Chi and Qigong classes at the Planetary Health Centre (link in profile): https://bit.ly/47jbFBz
Today is an Extreme Bushfire Danger Day! Have you heard about the extraordinary fire resistant paint developed by Professor Yeoh and his team at UNSW? Professor Yeoh will be presenting at our Full Cycle Conference on Thurs 20 November. He is world renowned in the field of fire safety and his innovations are helping to keep people and property safe. Importantly among these innovations has been the development and commercialisation of FSA FIRECOAT paint (sold at Bunnings), which creates a protective insulating ‘char’ on a building when it’s exposed to flames. It is water based and non toxic. Watch it in action in this video (link in profile): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkA1RlxMjWQ
Join us at the Conference to learn more about Professor Yeoh’s work during three days of innovation and exploration in which leading speakers from around Australia will share how we can reduce the risks of natural hazards and hazardous materials. Places are limited so register here now (link in profile): https://www.fullcycleconference.com.au/
With new modelling suggesting a hot summer with increasing fire risk it`s worth making time now to learn more about how we can reduce the risk of disaster by registering to attend the Full Cycle Conference that`s bringing together the Bushfire Building and Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Conferences in Katoomba on 20-22nd Nov. Group discounts apply if you register now here (link in profile): www.fullcycleconference.com.au
• Emma Whale from the NSW Reconstruction Authority will discuss how state-wide and place-based disaster adaptation planning is helping reduce risk;
• David Sanderson, the inaugural Judith Neilson Chair in Architecture at UNSW, will share the results of a landmark enquiry on how our response to disasters requires a change in housing policy and local government empowerment;
• Owen Price, Director of The Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires at UOW will compare the patterns of housing loss in the NSW and Californian wildfires;
• Guan Heng Yeoh from UNSW will share how he developed the award winning FIRECOAT fire resistant paint;
• Everson Kandare from RMIT University will discuss the development of fireproof cladding made from molasses-cultured mycelium - a fungal biomass;
• Alan Green from the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre UOW will introduce Heatwave and Multi-Hazard Resilience Star Rating Tools for retrofitting houses;
• Emma Bacon from Sweltering Cities and Dr Kim Loo from Doctors for the Environment will discuss heat waves and social justice;
• Andrew Bovis from Integrated Water Solutions will discuss the potential use of treated blackwater as an independent water source for landscape hydration and fire fighting;
• Sara Jane Wilkinson from UTS will launch the Bushfire Retrofitting Toolkit for older Australians and do a session on green roofs and walls to reduce disaster risk and increase biodiversity;
• Melissa Knothe Tate will discuss research on tackling PFAS contamination;
Thank you to everyone who participated in our inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair today. It was an inspiring and thought provoking day with lots learnt, many connections made, amazing food consumed and stunning weather! We look forward to doing it again next year!
The inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair kicks off at 9am today at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Pop in to listen to a talk, watch a demo, grab a coffee and sweet treat from Good Fat Pastry, a delicious lunch from Bibi`s Kitchen, fresh mushrooms from EarthRising Mushroom Farm, locally acclimatised vegetable seeds from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers, and edible native plants from Muru Mittigar Ltd You can view the full program here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nOSJle The Planetary Health Centre is at 33-39 Acacia St (former Katoomba Golf Course).
The Fair is a World Animal Day event and has been supported by a sEEd grant from the Australian Association of Environmental Educators.
Louis Wauters has recently graduated from medical school in Ghent, Belgium, where he lives. At the beginning of his clinical career he has come here to learn about Planetary Health and all its benefits. He is a strong believer in preventive medicine, and wants to strengthen social and environmental health by helping to rebuild the communities and an ecological lifestyle in society and healthcare.
