INDEPTH on 2016 WED: Humans, animals, environment are linked

Through its working group on Environment and Health, INDEPTH is promoting the concept of ‘one world one health’ reflecting on the fact that humans, animals and the environment are inextricably linked, each needs equal attention to ensure optimal health for all.

This was said by Dr. Ali Sie, the Leader of INDEPTH Network  Environment and Health Group in a statement on behalf of the Network to mark the World Environment Day (WED), which is commemorated globally on June 5 every year. Dr. Sie is also the Centre Leader for Nouna Health Research Centre, an INDEPTH member in Burkina Faso.

The world is dealing with an unprecedented spike in illegal wildlife trade, threatening to overturn decades of conservation gains. This is captured in this year’s WED theme: “Go Wild for Life. Zero tolerance for the illegal wildlife trade."

“This year's WED theme ‘Go wild for life. Zero tolerance for the illegal wildlife trade’ gives the opportunity to the working group to seek convergence between previously separate spheres of action governing human, animal and ecosystem health. This situation may affect directly or indirectly human health which is central to INDEPTH’s Environment and Health Working Group,” says DrSie.

Rapid changes in climate affect ecosystems and species ability to adapt and biodiversity loss increases.

“The change in ecosystems and biodiversity loss risks human security and can cause a major change in the food chain upon which we depend. Medicines and other resources, on which many people in low-income countries rely on may be harder to obtain. Some species may benefit from climate change but the rapid nature of the change suggests that most species will not be able to adapt,” he adds in the statement.

According to the statement, legal trade in wild species can contribute significantly to rural incomes, and the effect upon local economies can be substantial. The high value of wildlife products and derivatives can also provide positive economic incentives to provide an alternative to other land use options for the local people - to protect wild species and their habitats, and to maintain the resource for sustainable and profitable use in the medium and long term. The incomes raised from legal wildlife trade will increase people affordability to pay for health.