Most of the health crises that have occurred in the last ten years have been related to diseases that are transmittable to humans and that have originated in developing countries. Clearly, therefore, the investments that are required to improve health systems need to focus on prevention at source - in animals - and in the countries of the South.
Robust animal health systems directed by well-equipped veterinary services and supported by a clear political commitment are the key elements for succe more...

A new partnership has been launched to address the declining state of the world's fresh water supply and the lack of access to clean water services by the world's poorest people. The Global Water Initiative (GWI) brings together a group of seven leading international organisations: Action Against Hunger-USA, CARE, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), The World Conservation Union (IUCN), International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Oxfam America and SOS Sahel - UK.

The announceme more...

"The report provides evidence of the mechanisms through with the ecological impacts of climate change will be transmitted to the poor. Focusing on the 2.6 billion people surviving on less than US$2 a day, the authors warn forces unleashed by global warming could stall and then reverse progress built up over generations. Among the threats to human development identified by Fighting climate change:

- The breakdown of agricultural systems as a result of increased exposure to drought, rising te more...

Women living in poverty are the most threatened by the dangers that stem from global warming. They are also key actors in ensuring their communities' ability to cope with and adapt to climate change. When we approach climate change from the perspective of women, we see the ways that women are made vulnerable to threats associated with climate change, and that women's skills and leadership are crucial for people's survival and recovery. Therefore, defending the full range of women's human rights more...

The most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that there is overwhelming evidence that humans are affecting climate and it highlighted the implications for human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) is helping countries respond to this challenge, primarily by encouraging them to build and reinforce public health systems as the first line of defence against climate-related health risks... Bulletin of the World Health Organization (BLT), Volume 85, Num more...

The fourth Global Environment Outlook: environment for development (GEO-4) assessment is a comprehensive and authoritative UN report on environment, development and human well-being, providing incisive analysis and information for decision making. It has found that water, land, air, plants, animals and fish are all in "inexorable decline". More than 2 million people are possibly dying prematurely of air pollution, and close to 2 billion are likely to suffer absolute water scarcity by 2025. Put b more...

Despite urbanisation, 75% of the world's poor live rurally, and agriculture remains the largest single contributor to their livelihoods. This page collates resources from the UK's leading think-tank on international development and humanitarian issues relating to agriculture.

The Commitment to Development Index (CDI), produced annually by the Center for Global Development, ranks 21 high-income industrialized countries on how well their policies and actions support poor countries’ efforts to build prosperity, good government, and security. The CDI assigns points in seven policy areas: aid (both quantity as a share of income and quality), trade, investment, migration, environment, security, and technology. Within each component, a country receives points for policies more...

There are too many cocktails, debates and forum on this urgent agenda of
global warming and climate change, while there are more forest fires , floodings,
typhoon, and recently 3 earthquakes in Indonesia within 24 hours.
Debates and policy makings in any offices, including at UN hq., will not and cannot mitigate ghg emissions in all countries,without proper enforcement and implementations of these final conclusive reports from IPCC and G8 , and etc etc.
What we need is a multi-dimensional w more...

This gallery of 40 winning entries from the 2007 international photo and video contest showcases the intricate link between the environment and public health. This year the focus of the annual contest was on health and environment, as part of WHO's efforts to raise awareness about the importance of healthier environments.

The 2007 entries include positive images that highlight the beneficial effects of safe and healthy environments: children playing in healthy, supportive and enabling environ more...