1. Integrating Environment, Culture, and Well-being 

Chair:
Victoria Lee, The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment


Discussants:
Larry Murillo , Assistant Professor, OHSU Public Health and Preventative Medicine, One Sky Center
Rye Barcott, Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government


Summary:

With headlines such as “Climate Resets Doomsday Clock (BBC)”, “Crunch Year for Planet Earth (CNN)”, and “It's a Consensus: The End is Near (LA Times)”, the effects of global environmental change are palpable throughout the world.  The recent Millennium Ecosystem Assessment provides further scientific evidence of failing ecosystems worldwide.  Detrimental effects of human activity in the past century and ecosystem degradation have long been established in the scientific community, but are not reflected in current regional and international policies.  What is notable at present is a sense of urgency that previously did not exist.  From a small village in Africa to international organizations and networks, there is an unprecedented opportunity for change amidst the growing evidence of public interest, political will, corporate engagement, and scientific evidence.

Ecosystem Health (EcoHealth) is a concept that has developed and evolved over the past three decade.  Its approach is inherently transdisciplinary and recognizes complex biophysical, social, cultural, political and economic relationships between the ecosystem and human health.  The participants will explore the following concepts in this breakout session using three case studies:

1. The human heath/ecosystem health interface
2. The cultural health/ecosystem health interface
3. The healthy governance/ecosystem health interface

Outcomes:

The expected outcome of this breakout session is a 1 page consensus document of 5-10 targeted recommendations that the participants believe could be implemented by decision-makers.  These recommendations should focus on advancing scientific knowledge and research outputs that could be used by decision-makers to increase integrated and transdisciplinary approaches to health, improve communication and effectively translate research to comprehensive policy.  The recommendations should emphasize win-win collaborative approaches that all (or nearly all) communities can accept and support. 

Reference:

1. Rapport, DJ.  Chapter 32 Healthy Ecosystems:  An Evolving Paradigm. Smith DJ, Pilgrim S, Cullen L, (2007 In press) Coral Reefs and People. Chapter 15. In Pretty, J., Ball, A., Benton, T., Guivant, J., Lee, D., Orr, D., Pfeffer, M., Ward, H. (Eds.), SAGE Handbook on Environment and Society.
2. Maffi, L.  Linguistic, Cultural, and Biological Diversity.  Annual Review of Anthropology.  Vol. 34:  599-617.  October, 2005

Session Agenda:

1:30 – 1:45   Welcome (Victoria Lee)
                      Participant introductions (each participant should briefly introduce her/himself – name, title and organization)
                      Review of ground rules, roles, session agenda

1:45 – 1:55   Brief overview of topic; introduction of Discussants (Victoria Lee)

1:55 – 2:40   Discussant presentations and responses

2:40 – 3:30   Small group brainstorm session on recommendations

3:30 – 3:45   Break

3:45 – 4:15   Reconvene – discussion of recommendations in large group, start setting priorities

4:15 – 4:45   Set relative priorities

4:45 – 5:00   Wrap-up and adjourn