Global Environmental Change and health

Large-scale and global environmental hazards to human health include climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, loss of biodiversity, changes in hydrological systems and the supplies of freshwater, land degradation and stresses on food-producing  systems. Appreciation of this scale and type of influence on human health requires a new perspective which focuses on ecosystems and on the recognition that the foundations of long-term good health in populations rely in great part on the continued stability and functioning of the biosphere's life supporting systems.  It also brings an appreciation of the complexity of the systems upon which we depend.

 

Further information:

• Climate change and health : http://www.who.int/entity/globalchange/climate/en

• Ecosystems and health : http://www.who.int/entity/globalchange/ecosystems/en Includes information on biodiversity, desertification and freshwater

• Stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation and health : http://www.who.int/entity/globalchange/ozone_uv/en

• Global environmental change links and other links: http://www.who.int/entity/globalchange/links/global/en