Our planet, our health, our future - human health and the Rio Conventions: biological diversity, climate change and desertification
The WHO has published a discussion paper on the linkages between health and biodiversity, climate change and desertification, the representation of health in the three Rio Conventions, and the opportunities for more integrated and effective policy. Produced in collaboration with the Secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the report is titled "Our Planet, Our Health, Our Future - Human health and the Rio Conventions: biological diversity, climate change and desertification." It demonstrates the importance of human health as an integrating theme across sustainable development and calls for more coordination in addressing global environmental change. On collaboration with the CBD, the paper highlights a recent decision of the CBD Conference of the Parties (COP) to strengthen collaboration with WHO on the consideration of health issues as contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and addressing the impacts of climate change on public health.