| – PAHO/WHO Country Rep.Human existence and health are inextricably linked to the environment, which is within man’s immediate space, and is an integral part of it. Negative actions on the environment result in the spread of diseases, reduction in food production, and decrease income.Dr. Beverly Barnett, Country Representative,Patrick Willis Ole Miss Jersey, Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) expressed the aforementioned notion and added that “As examples of the critical links between environment and health, we need only consider issues related to vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, and water-borne diseases such as cholera; the pollution of water sources that are vital for life and living; forest degradation and its contribution to climate change, which can result in changes in the occurrence and prevalence of various vectors and the diseases they carry; reduction in land availability for food production; and property loss, with relevant reduction in income.Dr. Beverly BarnettSome of these issues are outside the scope of the traditional health sector, but the impact that they can have on health and productivity is evident.”Dr. Barnett made those remarks last Friday at the Environmental Community Health Organization’s (ECHO) Conference on Climate Change,Mike Weber Ohio State Jersey, at Cara Lodge in Georgetown.It was stressed that to preserve the environment for a healthy existence, good environment governance is required. Dr. Barnett noted that while governance may imply leadership and guidance rules from a hierarchy, like good governance, it requires the participation of the people.She stated that the people should participate, directly or indirectly, in the development of the policies, laws, rules, and regulations that affect them, so that these can be realistic, relevant, and help to better their daily lives.In addition, they must take into consideration the reduction of inequities, gender, and a human rights-based approach, among other issues that are critical to national development.Dr. Barnett indicated that when policies, regulations or requests are made there must be measures in place to make them practical.“If we wish people to recycle, then we shouldn’t only tell them to recycle, we should put in place all the things that will make it easier for them to do so. If we wish people not to litter, we need to ensure that there are receptacles strategically placed, secured, and cleared that make it easy for them to do so.”It was further noted that, “If we wish businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, we need to put in place incentives that make them want to do so, because it will benefit their customers, their productivity, their bottom line,Ricky Stanzi Iowa Jersey, and the wider society.”Dr. Barnett asserted emphatically that like other issues, environmental governance needs to be tailored to the national situation.“Good environmental governance speaks to participation, partnerships and alliances; no specific sector, organization, or agency can do it alone. Like governance, public health is a participatory process. Without the active participation of those whose health the various policies,Rex Burkhead Nebraska Jersey, plans, strategies, and legislation are meant to protect, health challenges will get the better of us.”She said that conference’s theme ‘Uniting against poor environmental practices: protecting our communities,Santonio Holmes Ohio State Jersey, developing Guyana in this era of climate change’ says it all. Dr. Barnett told the gathering that the PAHO/WHO has lauded ECHO for its effort to strengthen advocacy,DeMarco Murray Oklahoma Jersey, participation, partnerships and collaboration for good environmental governance.Government was also praised for its “forward-looking” Low Carbon Development Strategy – which provides the framework for contributions by non-governmental organizations, other civil society organizations, the private sector,Cheap Ole Miss Rebels Jerseys, and international development agencies – and for its efforts to strengthen national participation in decision-making.She noted that countries,Allen Patrick Oklahoma Jersey, including Guyana, are preparing for participation in the United Nations Sustainable Development Conference in Brazil in June 2012 – “Rio+20”. The objectives of the conference are to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development,Brian Bosworth Oklahoma Jersey, and address new and emerging challenges.It will focus on two themes: green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable development, Dr. Barnett noted. (Keeran Singh) |
