Plenary Session V: Climate Change, Environmental Health and Systemic Approaches: links, implications and further needed emphases for the One Health paradigm

Global climate change and anthropogenic alterations in the world’s ecosystems through agricultural, commercial and industrial practices and other patterns of human-environment interactions imply health risks for humans, animals and natural resources alike. Water and land are assets and services not only highly sensitive to such changes but also crucial for the health and well-being of all three groups. The thematic focus of the session is on reducing- human-environment related health risks that are connected to issues on water, land, biodiversity, climate and ecosystem services. Such discussion will lead to strategic interventions in order to control and protect complex ecosystems and repair them from disturbance. Taking into account links between the One Health and the Ecosystem Health approach (EcoHealth), this session will focus on better understanding the “creeping crisis” and, more importantly, promoting solution oriented interventions based on a One Health approach. Emphasizing socio-ecological and socio-environmental determinants of health, including concepts of equity, institutions and access to health, solid case studies shall demonstrate the added value, which can be created through a stronger inclusion of water, land and ecosystem health into the present One Health paradigm.