Personal Commentaries on “Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Health Synthesis—A Report of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment”

Excerpt

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment contains the first synthesis of the state of knowledge on the connection between ecosystem sustainability and human health, “Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Health Synthesis.” Its publication presents an opportunity to take stock of what has been achieved, asking “What more do we need to know,” and “What more do we need to do? The editors feel this stock-take should not only focus on the conclusions of the report, but also what needs to be done to build on the report’s momentum. To open a dialogue about these questions and stimulate follow-up action, key individuals involved or familiar with the Health Synthesis were invited by EcoHealth provide a brief personal commentary reflecting on these and similar questions. It is hoped that the following commentaries, as well as related articles in this and forthcoming issues of EcoHealth, will encourage dialogue that probes more deeply and more critically how we can and should respond to the profoundly important challenges confronting humanity that are represented in the report. …