Green Economic Development can be Good for Health
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For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214 ~
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079 ~
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159 ~
`
Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159 ~
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348 ~
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden =
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440 ~
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide =
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110 ~
This slideshow was presented during the session "The Economics of Green Retrofits," with Nils Kok, Norm Miller and Peter Morris, at Greenbuild 2012, Toronto.
Green economics considers the economy as part of the natural world and dependent on finite natural resources. It aims to balance human needs with environmental protection now and indefinitely. Key aspects include environmental economics, resource economics, and sustainable development. Green economics is concerned with issues like global warming, pollution, and depleting resources like water and energy.
Marthe Cohn was a Jewish French spy who risked her life to gather intelligence for the French resistance during WWII. She infiltrated Nazi Germany using her fluent German and managed to discover key military information. As a result, the French army was able to achieve an important victory. Cohn went on to have a long career as a nurse and nurse anesthetist. She has received numerous honors for her wartime heroism and courageously fights to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.
This document provides links to resources about organic gardening techniques, urban farming, rainwater harvesting, green roofs, straight vegetable oil vehicles, garden therapy, volunteering on organic farms in Europe, solar energy training, and eco-friendly coffee beans. It discusses how organic gardening technologies can increase plant yields by 400% and provides catalogs and manuals about topics such as city farming, backyard farming, rain gardens, and aquaponics systems. The links provide free information for organic and sustainable living practices.
Ruth Jones, a Christian teacher without a master's degree or administrative experience, was unexpectedly named principal of a struggling inner city elementary school in Grand Rapids, Michigan that was on the verge of closure due to poor academic performance. Through prayer, addressing students' practical needs, and recruiting volunteers, Jones led a dramatic turnaround of the school over 20 years. Test scores and graduation rates increased sharply, and the school now has a waiting list despite originally facing closure. Jones attributes the school's success to aligning herself with God.
- Coconut oil may help slow or prevent Alzheimer's disease in some people by providing an alternative fuel for brain cells in the form of ketones. Dr. Mary Newport put her husband Steve, who had Alzheimer's, on a diet supplemented with coconut oil, which led to improvements in his symptoms and cognitive abilities.
- Researchers have developed a ketone ester that is more potent than coconut oil, but it is very expensive to produce. Coconut oil remains a viable alternative source of ketones. Taking coconut oil may also help with other neurological diseases due to its ability to increase ketone levels and good cholesterol while reducing bad bacteria.
A teacher in Baltimore transformed the lives of students from the slums. In the 1920s, college students evaluated 200 boys from the slums and said they had no chance of success. Twenty-five years later, it was found that 176 of the 180 boys who could be located had achieved success as lawyers, doctors, and businessmen. The professor interviewed each man and they all credited their success to a teacher who had loved and believed in them. When interviewed, the elderly teacher said her simple method was that she loved those boys.
This slideshow was presented during the session "The Economics of Green Retrofits," with Nils Kok, Norm Miller and Peter Morris, at Greenbuild 2012, Toronto.
Green economics considers the economy as part of the natural world and dependent on finite natural resources. It aims to balance human needs with environmental protection now and indefinitely. Key aspects include environmental economics, resource economics, and sustainable development. Green economics is concerned with issues like global warming, pollution, and depleting resources like water and energy.
Marthe Cohn was a Jewish French spy who risked her life to gather intelligence for the French resistance during WWII. She infiltrated Nazi Germany using her fluent German and managed to discover key military information. As a result, the French army was able to achieve an important victory. Cohn went on to have a long career as a nurse and nurse anesthetist. She has received numerous honors for her wartime heroism and courageously fights to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.
This document provides links to resources about organic gardening techniques, urban farming, rainwater harvesting, green roofs, straight vegetable oil vehicles, garden therapy, volunteering on organic farms in Europe, solar energy training, and eco-friendly coffee beans. It discusses how organic gardening technologies can increase plant yields by 400% and provides catalogs and manuals about topics such as city farming, backyard farming, rain gardens, and aquaponics systems. The links provide free information for organic and sustainable living practices.
Ruth Jones, a Christian teacher without a master's degree or administrative experience, was unexpectedly named principal of a struggling inner city elementary school in Grand Rapids, Michigan that was on the verge of closure due to poor academic performance. Through prayer, addressing students' practical needs, and recruiting volunteers, Jones led a dramatic turnaround of the school over 20 years. Test scores and graduation rates increased sharply, and the school now has a waiting list despite originally facing closure. Jones attributes the school's success to aligning herself with God.
- Coconut oil may help slow or prevent Alzheimer's disease in some people by providing an alternative fuel for brain cells in the form of ketones. Dr. Mary Newport put her husband Steve, who had Alzheimer's, on a diet supplemented with coconut oil, which led to improvements in his symptoms and cognitive abilities.
- Researchers have developed a ketone ester that is more potent than coconut oil, but it is very expensive to produce. Coconut oil remains a viable alternative source of ketones. Taking coconut oil may also help with other neurological diseases due to its ability to increase ketone levels and good cholesterol while reducing bad bacteria.
A teacher in Baltimore transformed the lives of students from the slums. In the 1920s, college students evaluated 200 boys from the slums and said they had no chance of success. Twenty-five years later, it was found that 176 of the 180 boys who could be located had achieved success as lawyers, doctors, and businessmen. The professor interviewed each man and they all credited their success to a teacher who had loved and believed in them. When interviewed, the elderly teacher said her simple method was that she loved those boys.
Robert Raikes witnessed the poor conditions of children in Gloucester, England in the late 18th century due to the Industrial Revolution. This inspired him to create the first Sunday school to educate and reform street children. The Sunday school used the Bible as its textbook and proved hugely successful in improving behavior and civic responsibility. Raikes' idea then spread across Britain and to other parts of Europe and America, revolutionizing religious education of children and community outreach efforts of churches. Late in life, Raikes had a profound spiritual experience witnessing a young girl reading the Bible that gave him a new understanding of faith.
The document discusses using Groasis Waterboxx devices to help plant and grow trees in dry environments like the Sahara Desert. It describes how the author and a colleague tried using 10 Waterboxx devices to plant trees in M'hamid, Morocco but their luggage containing the devices was initially lost. They were eventually found and the devices were used to plant tamarisk trees to compare growth with traditional planting methods. The document provides details on how the Waterboxx works, collecting condensation and directing water to tree roots, and hopes the experiment will help increase tree survival rates in the dry climate.
The Groasis Waterboxx is a low-tech device that helps seeds and saplings grow into strong trees in dry environments. It collects and stores rainwater and condensation to slowly water the roots daily. In tests, 88% of trees grown with the Waterboxx survived compared to only 10.5% without it. The inventor believes using this technology could reforest billions of acres and offset humanity's carbon emissions by capturing CO2 in new tree growth.
The document discusses the Groasis Technology, a planting method that uses a Waterboxx and other techniques to plant trees in dry areas with 90% less water. It summarizes that the technology (1) improves soil, maps planting areas, harvests rainfall, and uses the right planting techniques to help trees grow deep roots in the first year to survive independently. It also describes how the technology terraces slopes to harvest and direct rainfall to trees, uses 3D imaging to map ideal planting lines, and a capillary drill to quickly plant thousands of trees per day.
The document describes the Agua, Vida y Naturaleza Project (AVNP) that started in Ecuador in 2012. It is funded by the Dutch COmON Foundation to help small farmers in dry areas by introducing the Groasis Technology, which allows planting in deserts and eroded lands. The technology mimics nature by improving soil, maintaining capillary structures, and using a waterboxx device. The project aims to address issues small farmers face like lack of water, capital, and farming knowledge, in order to help alleviate world hunger and prevent farmers from migrating to cities due to lack of income from farming dry areas.
The document provides planting instructions for using a Waterboxx planting device. It outlines 6 main steps:
1. Preparing the soil by digging holes and adding compost/fertilizer or just watering.
2. Assembling the Waterboxx by placing the wick, mid-plate, lid, and siphons.
3. Preparing plants by pruning roots to encourage deep growth.
4. Planting in holes aligned east-west within the Waterboxx hole.
5. Placing the assembled Waterboxx over the planted area.
6. Watering the plants and filling the Waterboxx for the first time.
This document provides instructions for growing vegetables using the Groasis Waterboxx system. It details recommendations for greenhouse design, soil preparation, planting methods, plant spacing, watering schedules, and pest and disease management. Proper installation and maintenance of the Waterboxx system is emphasized to ensure healthy plant growth and high crop yields. Close monitoring of climate conditions and plant needs is also advised.
The document is a report on the Groasis waterboxx, a device that aims to allow farming without irrigation. It provides an overview of the waterboxx's history and development, describes its components and how it works, reviews testing that has been done, and evaluates its suitability for organic farming. In the conclusion, the report recommends that the cooperative discussed in the document not use the waterboxx yet, as more data is still needed, but could consider conducting their own tests with support from their technical services.
The document summarizes an invention called the Groasis that helps plants survive in arid climates by collecting and storing rainfall to provide steady watering to seedlings. It notes that most rainfall in deserts occurs within one week but is then unavailable, and that the Groasis uses evaporation-proof containers and wicking to deliver water to young plants over longer periods, allowing their roots to develop and access deeper groundwater reserves. Large-scale projects have used the Groasis in countries like Kenya to aid reforestation efforts and combat desertification.
The document summarizes the work of the Sahara Roots Foundation in Morocco and their use of the Groasis Waterboxx to help plant trees and reduce desertification. The Sahara Roots Foundation was established to implement development projects to conserve the Moroccan Sahara through activities like tree planting, irrigation, education, and desert cleaning. They have started using the Groasis Waterboxx, an "intelligent water battery" developed by AquaPro, to improve the survival rate of newly planted trees. The Waterboxx produces and captures water through condensation and rain, allowing trees to be planted in dry areas like rocks and deserts with a 100% success rate.
The document describes the Agua, Vida y Naturaleza Project (AVNP) that started in Ecuador in 2012. It is funded by the Dutch COmON Foundation to help small farmers in dry areas by introducing the Groasis Technology, which allows planting in deserts and eroded lands. The technology mimics nature by improving soil, maintaining capillary structures, and using a waterboxx device. The project aims to address issues small farmers face like lack of water, capital, and farming knowledge, in order to help alleviate world hunger and prevent farmers from migrating to cities.
Groasis Technology is compared to drip irrigation over a 50-year project for a 500-hectare tree plantation. Key financial indicators show that using Groasis Waterboxes results in a higher net present value (NPV) of €26.62 million compared to €21.15 million for drip irrigation, and a slightly higher internal rate of return (IRR) of 22.1% versus 23.4% for drip irrigation. Waterboxx also has a longer payback period of 7 years compared to 5 years for drip irrigation. The document provides assumptions and calculations for costs and revenues for both systems over the 50-year period.
A new technology called the Groasis Waterboxx shows promise for reclaiming desert landscapes and increasing plant survival rates. The simple device regulates temperature and moisture levels around young plants, allowing trees and crops to grow with little watering even in dry conditions. Initial trials in Africa found tree survival rates increased to 88% with the Waterboxx compared to only 10% without it. Researchers in Kenya are optimistic this technology could significantly reduce desertification and help transform the country's deserts into productive, economic areas through increased vegetation.
The document summarizes an experiment using Groasis Waterboxx devices to establish tree seedlings at nine bus stops in North Central Austin. It provides updates on the condition of the trees over time, noting that as of late August all trees remained alive with varying health. Challenges included heat waves, lack of rain, and competition between trees and grass. The Waterboxx devices appeared to successfully provide water through condensation.
A prototype device called the Groasis Waterboxx aims to help farmers grow crops in arid areas by collecting and directing water to plant roots. The box is modeled after how bird droppings protect seeds, providing humidity and shelter. It surrounds young plants, collects water through condensation and from rain, and deposits small amounts to roots daily. Tests in the Sahara found 90% of trees planted with the box survived when removed, compared to only 10% without the box. The inventor now plans to test the Groasis in other dry regions to help farmers deal with unpredictable weather.
Este artículo describe un plan piloto lanzado en Pujilí, Ecuador para preservar la naturaleza utilizando una nueva técnica llamada "Incubadora de agua". El científico holandés Pieter Hoff y empresarios locales trabajan con la municipalidad de Pujilí y una escuela para enseñar esta técnica, que usa macetas especiales para ayudar a las plantas a crecer en zonas áridas sin riego. El plan piloto comenzó con demostraciones y siembra de plantas en la escuela Manuel E
A Dutch inventor has developed a planting technology called Groasis that allows trees to be grown in deserts without irrigation. The technology, called a waterboxx, mimics nature by assisting young trees through the planting period until their roots can reach underground water sources on their own. A presentation was given in Oman about a successful experiment using this system in Sohar Free Zone, with the potential benefits being reduced water usage, reforestation, increased food production, and lower carbon emissions. The system appears affordable and could help address problems of water scarcity and depletion of groundwater.
Robert Raikes witnessed the poor conditions of children in Gloucester, England in the late 18th century due to the Industrial Revolution. This inspired him to create the first Sunday school to educate and reform street children. The Sunday school used the Bible as its textbook and proved hugely successful in improving behavior and civic responsibility. Raikes' idea then spread across Britain and to other parts of Europe and America, revolutionizing religious education of children and community outreach efforts of churches. Late in life, Raikes had a profound spiritual experience witnessing a young girl reading the Bible that gave him a new understanding of faith.
The document discusses using Groasis Waterboxx devices to help plant and grow trees in dry environments like the Sahara Desert. It describes how the author and a colleague tried using 10 Waterboxx devices to plant trees in M'hamid, Morocco but their luggage containing the devices was initially lost. They were eventually found and the devices were used to plant tamarisk trees to compare growth with traditional planting methods. The document provides details on how the Waterboxx works, collecting condensation and directing water to tree roots, and hopes the experiment will help increase tree survival rates in the dry climate.
The Groasis Waterboxx is a low-tech device that helps seeds and saplings grow into strong trees in dry environments. It collects and stores rainwater and condensation to slowly water the roots daily. In tests, 88% of trees grown with the Waterboxx survived compared to only 10.5% without it. The inventor believes using this technology could reforest billions of acres and offset humanity's carbon emissions by capturing CO2 in new tree growth.
The document discusses the Groasis Technology, a planting method that uses a Waterboxx and other techniques to plant trees in dry areas with 90% less water. It summarizes that the technology (1) improves soil, maps planting areas, harvests rainfall, and uses the right planting techniques to help trees grow deep roots in the first year to survive independently. It also describes how the technology terraces slopes to harvest and direct rainfall to trees, uses 3D imaging to map ideal planting lines, and a capillary drill to quickly plant thousands of trees per day.
The document describes the Agua, Vida y Naturaleza Project (AVNP) that started in Ecuador in 2012. It is funded by the Dutch COmON Foundation to help small farmers in dry areas by introducing the Groasis Technology, which allows planting in deserts and eroded lands. The technology mimics nature by improving soil, maintaining capillary structures, and using a waterboxx device. The project aims to address issues small farmers face like lack of water, capital, and farming knowledge, in order to help alleviate world hunger and prevent farmers from migrating to cities due to lack of income from farming dry areas.
The document provides planting instructions for using a Waterboxx planting device. It outlines 6 main steps:
1. Preparing the soil by digging holes and adding compost/fertilizer or just watering.
2. Assembling the Waterboxx by placing the wick, mid-plate, lid, and siphons.
3. Preparing plants by pruning roots to encourage deep growth.
4. Planting in holes aligned east-west within the Waterboxx hole.
5. Placing the assembled Waterboxx over the planted area.
6. Watering the plants and filling the Waterboxx for the first time.
This document provides instructions for growing vegetables using the Groasis Waterboxx system. It details recommendations for greenhouse design, soil preparation, planting methods, plant spacing, watering schedules, and pest and disease management. Proper installation and maintenance of the Waterboxx system is emphasized to ensure healthy plant growth and high crop yields. Close monitoring of climate conditions and plant needs is also advised.
The document is a report on the Groasis waterboxx, a device that aims to allow farming without irrigation. It provides an overview of the waterboxx's history and development, describes its components and how it works, reviews testing that has been done, and evaluates its suitability for organic farming. In the conclusion, the report recommends that the cooperative discussed in the document not use the waterboxx yet, as more data is still needed, but could consider conducting their own tests with support from their technical services.
The document summarizes an invention called the Groasis that helps plants survive in arid climates by collecting and storing rainfall to provide steady watering to seedlings. It notes that most rainfall in deserts occurs within one week but is then unavailable, and that the Groasis uses evaporation-proof containers and wicking to deliver water to young plants over longer periods, allowing their roots to develop and access deeper groundwater reserves. Large-scale projects have used the Groasis in countries like Kenya to aid reforestation efforts and combat desertification.
The document summarizes the work of the Sahara Roots Foundation in Morocco and their use of the Groasis Waterboxx to help plant trees and reduce desertification. The Sahara Roots Foundation was established to implement development projects to conserve the Moroccan Sahara through activities like tree planting, irrigation, education, and desert cleaning. They have started using the Groasis Waterboxx, an "intelligent water battery" developed by AquaPro, to improve the survival rate of newly planted trees. The Waterboxx produces and captures water through condensation and rain, allowing trees to be planted in dry areas like rocks and deserts with a 100% success rate.
The document describes the Agua, Vida y Naturaleza Project (AVNP) that started in Ecuador in 2012. It is funded by the Dutch COmON Foundation to help small farmers in dry areas by introducing the Groasis Technology, which allows planting in deserts and eroded lands. The technology mimics nature by improving soil, maintaining capillary structures, and using a waterboxx device. The project aims to address issues small farmers face like lack of water, capital, and farming knowledge, in order to help alleviate world hunger and prevent farmers from migrating to cities.
Groasis Technology is compared to drip irrigation over a 50-year project for a 500-hectare tree plantation. Key financial indicators show that using Groasis Waterboxes results in a higher net present value (NPV) of €26.62 million compared to €21.15 million for drip irrigation, and a slightly higher internal rate of return (IRR) of 22.1% versus 23.4% for drip irrigation. Waterboxx also has a longer payback period of 7 years compared to 5 years for drip irrigation. The document provides assumptions and calculations for costs and revenues for both systems over the 50-year period.
A new technology called the Groasis Waterboxx shows promise for reclaiming desert landscapes and increasing plant survival rates. The simple device regulates temperature and moisture levels around young plants, allowing trees and crops to grow with little watering even in dry conditions. Initial trials in Africa found tree survival rates increased to 88% with the Waterboxx compared to only 10% without it. Researchers in Kenya are optimistic this technology could significantly reduce desertification and help transform the country's deserts into productive, economic areas through increased vegetation.
The document summarizes an experiment using Groasis Waterboxx devices to establish tree seedlings at nine bus stops in North Central Austin. It provides updates on the condition of the trees over time, noting that as of late August all trees remained alive with varying health. Challenges included heat waves, lack of rain, and competition between trees and grass. The Waterboxx devices appeared to successfully provide water through condensation.
A prototype device called the Groasis Waterboxx aims to help farmers grow crops in arid areas by collecting and directing water to plant roots. The box is modeled after how bird droppings protect seeds, providing humidity and shelter. It surrounds young plants, collects water through condensation and from rain, and deposits small amounts to roots daily. Tests in the Sahara found 90% of trees planted with the box survived when removed, compared to only 10% without the box. The inventor now plans to test the Groasis in other dry regions to help farmers deal with unpredictable weather.
Este artículo describe un plan piloto lanzado en Pujilí, Ecuador para preservar la naturaleza utilizando una nueva técnica llamada "Incubadora de agua". El científico holandés Pieter Hoff y empresarios locales trabajan con la municipalidad de Pujilí y una escuela para enseñar esta técnica, que usa macetas especiales para ayudar a las plantas a crecer en zonas áridas sin riego. El plan piloto comenzó con demostraciones y siembra de plantas en la escuela Manuel E
A Dutch inventor has developed a planting technology called Groasis that allows trees to be grown in deserts without irrigation. The technology, called a waterboxx, mimics nature by assisting young trees through the planting period until their roots can reach underground water sources on their own. A presentation was given in Oman about a successful experiment using this system in Sohar Free Zone, with the potential benefits being reduced water usage, reforestation, increased food production, and lower carbon emissions. The system appears affordable and could help address problems of water scarcity and depletion of groundwater.
Temple of Asclepius in Thrace. Excavation resultsKrassimira Luka
The temple and the sanctuary around were dedicated to Asklepios Zmidrenus. This name has been known since 1875 when an inscription dedicated to him was discovered in Rome. The inscription is dated in 227 AD and was left by soldiers originating from the city of Philippopolis (modern Plovdiv).
How to Setup Default Value for a Field in Odoo 17Celine George
In Odoo, we can set a default value for a field during the creation of a record for a model. We have many methods in odoo for setting a default value to the field.
How to Manage Reception Report in Odoo 17Celine George
A business may deal with both sales and purchases occasionally. They buy things from vendors and then sell them to their customers. Such dealings can be confusing at times. Because multiple clients may inquire about the same product at the same time, after purchasing those products, customers must be assigned to them. Odoo has a tool called Reception Report that can be used to complete this assignment. By enabling this, a reception report comes automatically after confirming a receipt, from which we can assign products to orders.
Level 3 NCEA - NZ: A Nation In the Making 1872 - 1900 SML.pptHenry Hollis
The History of NZ 1870-1900.
Making of a Nation.
From the NZ Wars to Liberals,
Richard Seddon, George Grey,
Social Laboratory, New Zealand,
Confiscations, Kotahitanga, Kingitanga, Parliament, Suffrage, Repudiation, Economic Change, Agriculture, Gold Mining, Timber, Flax, Sheep, Dairying,
Information and Communication Technology in EducationMJDuyan
(𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝟏𝟎𝟎) (𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 2)-𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐬
𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐂𝐓 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Students will be able to explain the role and impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education. They will understand how ICT tools, such as computers, the internet, and educational software, enhance learning and teaching processes. By exploring various ICT applications, students will recognize how these technologies facilitate access to information, improve communication, support collaboration, and enable personalized learning experiences.
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭:
-Students will be able to discuss what constitutes reliable sources on the internet. They will learn to identify key characteristics of trustworthy information, such as credibility, accuracy, and authority. By examining different types of online sources, students will develop skills to evaluate the reliability of websites and content, ensuring they can distinguish between reputable information and misinformation.
NIPER 2024 MEMORY BASED QUESTIONS.ANSWERS TO NIPER 2024 QUESTIONS.NIPER JEE 2...
Green Economic Development can be Good for Health
1. HEALTH 079
GREEN ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CAN BE
GOOD FOR HEALTH
DR MARIA NEIRA, DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT,
WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO)
s concerns mount over the long-term
risks of climate change to the planet’s
health, there is a wave of interest in
“green” economic development among
UN and multi-lateral aid agencies, national
governments and industry. But can “green” economic
initiatives also yield more immediate public
health benefits?
Early findings emerging from a new series of global
reviews by WHO of climate change mitigation policies
in key economic sectors say “yes”, health can be a
winner in greener development strategies.
Well-designed initiatives that curb greenhouse gas
emissions in energy, residential construction,
transport, and agricultural systems can not only
enhance global public health, but also improve health
among poor populations and save scarce health
resources – in a relatively short time frame.
Better understanding of the multiple “win-win”
health and climate benefits that could be
obtained from mitigation could help build support
for existing and future climate change agreements,
such as the one being negotiated in the talks
in Cancún.
Embracing “health-enhancing” low-carbon strategies
can allow policy-makers to demonstrate positive health
and wealth-generating results within a period of years
– while averting devastating long-term impacts to
the planet.
The general public can potentially be motivated to
adopt more sustainable lifestyles when there is better
understanding of how such measures also improve
personal health and well-being in tangible ways.
THEHEALTHCOSTOFGREY, THE
SAVINGSOFGREEN
Overall, WHO estimates that nearly one-quarter
of the global disease burden is attributable to
environmental pollution and degradation, which could
be readily addressed by available technologies in
various economic sectors (WHO, 2009). For instance,
most deaths from indoor air pollution (2 million
annually) are due to leaky and inefficient household
energy systems that burn biomass fuels and coal,
and upon which 3 billion people still rely for fuel
(WHO, 2009).
However, much of this burden of disease could
potentially be reduced or eliminated through improved
access to cleaner-burning cookstoves or fuels now
becoming available in developing countries (Wilkinson
P et al, 2009; WHO 2006). Concurrent reductions in
stove emissions could also reduce the climate impacts
of black carbon (USAID/RDMA, 2010; Ramanathan
and Carmichael, 2008).
The burden of disease fromurban outdoor air pollution
(1.2 million deaths annually) and traffic injury (1.3
million deaths annually) could similarly be addressed
by policies that promote more compact urban
development around public transport corridors as well
as “active” transport by walking and cycling. An ever
growing body of literature indicates that active
transport to work, school and shopping can also
address obesity-related diseases caused by physical
inactivity (3.2 million deaths annually) (Aytur, et al,
2008;WHO, 2006;WHO, 2008).
Recentmodeling of cities in developed and developing
countries indicated that the potential is huge. Amajor
078 HEALTH
A
study published last year in The Lancet, carried out
withWHO participation,modelled effects on health in
London and Delhi from low-emission vehicles and
policies to increase “active travel” and reduce car
travel. A combination of active travel and lower-emission
motor vehicles was projected to reduce the
number of years of life lost from ischaemic heart
disease by 10-19 per cent in London and 11-25 per
cent in Delhi (Woodcock et al, 2009). In many cases,
the health and health care cost savings resulting
fromclimate changemitigation actions can also cover
much of the cost of the interventions (Metz B, et al
eds., 2007).
FINE-TUNINGMITIGATIONPOLICIES TO
CONSIDERHEALTH
Significantly, some mitigation policies may be better
than others, in health terms. For instance, mitigation
policies to encourage lower-emission vehicles can
indeed help combat air pollution. But some experts
contend that improved public transport, walking and
cycling systems could potentially do much more – by
attacking air pollution, obesity and traffic injury in
an integrated and cost-effective way (Wright and
Fulton, 2005; Kahn Ribeiro et al, 2007; Woodcock et
al, 2009).
Sometimes, tradeoffs also need to be considered.
For instance, improving the insulation quality of
homes in developed countries offers one very
major climate change mitigation opportunity,
according to the reviews of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change. Better insulation can
also help protect against extreme heat and cold
waves that become more frequent with climate
change. However, in health terms, adequate provision
for ventilation must also be assured to keep
down levels of indoor air pollution from dust and
mould and chemicals that otherwisemight build up in
closed spaces.
This is why more careful health assessment and
analysis of mitigation policies is required in order to
explore what combination of climate changemitigation
policies can yield the most optimal health benefits in
any given economic sector. Relative costs and benefits
also need to be examined by diverse economies
and regions.
LEADINGBYDOING
Mitigation policies can and should also be applied
in the health sector itself to obtain better use
of health system resources. Currently, hundreds of
thousands of health clinics in Africa, Asia and
Latin America have no power at all. If such clinics
could be supplied with renewable electricity for basic
needs from solar panels, the quality of health care
could potentially be improved, at little long term cost
to the planet.
In developing world cities, where power outages
are often common, expanded hospital access to
renewable energy sources and on-site co-generation
of heat and electricity could potentially provide
health facilities with more efficient, reliable and
independent sources of energy for emergencies.
Building energy efficiencies into construction and
the use of medical devices can help hospitals, large
or small, and in developing or developed countries,
better rationalise resources.
Recognising these realities, the health sector is already
“leading” with its own “greening” initiatives. Hospitals
in a number of Chinese cities recently launched
programmes to promote “green and safe” hospitals –
that can function better in emergencies. Fromthe UK’s
National Health Service to small NGOs at the grass
roots, health facilities are launching energy audits and
Right: Dr Maria Neira,
Director, Department of
Public Health and
Environment, WHO,
Geneva
2. partners and stakeholders, is a key aim of WHO’s
climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Such efforts can help strengthen the global
community’s capacity to protect health from climate
change and thus reap more immediate and wider
benefits fromstrongmitigation polices.
GETTINGHEALTHONTHECLIMATE
CHANGEAGENDA
To date, health issues have been marginal in the
climate talks – even though “adverse effects of climate
change on the economy, public health and the quality
of the environment” were noted in the first United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as
the three critical arenas of global climate-related
commitment (UN,1992).
Less than 2 per cent of the international funding on
climate change adaptation goes to protect health, and
there has been no systematic quantification of
potential health opportunities and funding in the
context of IPCCmitigation reviews. Out of the 323 side
events at the COP15 conference in 2009 in
Copenhagen, only one focused on health.
The very significant health gains and cost savings that
can be realised through climate change mitigation
policies are not typically considered in economic
models that aim to guide decision-making on
greenhouse gas emission reduction. This, in fact,
can lead to incomplete evidence and a bias against
more sustainable and greener decisions! Finally,
quantifiable health gains are not typically considered
in the context of UNFCCC clean development
mechanisms used to finance many types of low-carbon
development.
WHO believes this can change. Initial findings from
WHO’s series of reviews on Health in the Green
Economy to be presented at the Cancun conference
cover the potential co-benefits to health of mitigation
action in: agriculture, transport, household energy,
residential construction and health care facilities.
These reviews will summarise current knowledge and
evidence of the health impacts of climate change
mitigation strategies in different sectors and identify
opportunities for fine-tuning and strengthening
existing policies to both enhance health and reduce
our global carbon footprint. But this is only a first step
towards ongoing, global and systematic reviews of the
evidence on climate changemitigation and health.
Our aimis tomake the strategic, political and scientific
case for placing greater emphasis on the health
dimension at COP16 as a way to improve public
engagement, relevance, and effectiveness of climate
policy. A new and strengthened health focus, we
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080 HEALTH
examining how carbon efficiencies can benefit both
the planet and health.
“ADAPTIVE”MITIGATION
Initiatives for “green and safe” hospitals recognise that
manymeasures that “mitigate” against future climate
change can also be integrated with measures that
improve adaptation to the impacts of climate change
already being felt. Other such “adaptive mitigation”
measures could include:
Integrated vector management, which combines
environmental management with wise use of
chemicals, can help combat climate change-induced
changes in vector borne disease transmission, while
also reducing long-term environmental impact of
chemicals (van den Berg et al, 2007; Campbell-
Lendrum, et al, 2005).
Improved home and hospital design to facilitate
natural ventilation can improve air flows for better
infection control and heat wave resilience while
reducing reliance on air-conditioning (Atkinson et
al, 2009).
Greener urban development could improve home siting
and construction to better protect from heat waves,
flooding andmudslides thatmay be caused by climate
change – while also improving access to public
transport, walking and cycling, to mitigate against
future climate change.
“KNOCK-ON”BENEFITS
Greening initiatives in one sector also can have other
indirect “knock-on” health benefits in other areas.
For instance, new programmes in China and Nepal to
develop household biogas installations for home
cooking not only provide people with a more efficient
and less-polluting source of home energy, but
encourage the building of latrines to provide the fuel
source (Remais, 2009; Acharya, 2005).
That is of considerable importance in light of the
fact that some 2.6 billion people worldwide had
no access to a hygienic toilet or safe latrine in
2008 (WHO/UNICEF, 2010). Improved sanitation
is a critical means of reducing deaths (1.9 million
people annually) from unsafe water and sanitation
(WHO, 2009).
Despite their enormous potential, the health impacts
of climate change mitigation are not measured
systematically enough today. But it is possible to
develop that knowledge with more health sector
research and involvement overall. Reviewing and
consolidating such evidence, together with our
believe, can revitalise climate change processes
and lead to future climate change agreements that
take the biggest step yet towards global health in
human history.
ABOUT THEAUTHOR
DrMaria P. Neira was appointed Director of the
Department of Public Health and Environment at
theWorld Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
in September 2005. Prior to that, she was Vice-
Minister of Health and President of the Spanish
Food Safety Agency.
She had previously held senior positions inWHO as
Director of the Control, Prevention and Eradication
Programme on Communicable Diseases and as
Coordinator of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control.
Dr Neira began her career as a field physician and
medical coordinator working with refugees in El
Salvador and Honduras and later as a public health
adviser inMozambique and Rwanda.
Dr Neira is a Spanish national, and amedical doctor
by training. She specialised in Endocrinology and
Metabolic Diseases and also obtained an
International Diploma in Emergency Preparedness
and CrisisManagement.
Among hermany distinctions, Dr Neira has been
awarded theMédaille de l’Ordre national duMérite by
the Government of France and is amember of the
Academy ofMedicine, Asturias, Spain.
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“ REFERENCES
INITIATIVES
FOR ‘GREEN AND
SAFE’ HOSPITALS
RECOGNISE
THAT MANY OF
THE CARBON-EFFICIENT
MEASURES THAT
‘MITIGATE’
AGAINST FUTURE
CLIMATE CHANGE
CAN ALSO BE
INTEGRATED WITH
MEASURES THAT
IMPROVE
ADAPTATION TO
THE IMPACTS OF
CLIMATE CHANGE
ALREADY BEING
FELT
”