Agenda, Participants and Videos

Public Health Impacts of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

November 25, 2009
The National Press Club
529 14th Street, Washington, DC

The findings of a major international study to investigate the public health impacts of different strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions were made public on Wednesday, November 25, 2009. The release of the findings was a combined event in the UK and the US, coinciding with the publication of the results in the Lancet .

Intent of the launch event

To report the findings of the study;
To address the policy and public health implications of the findings, to send a clear message to governments and Copenhagen negotiators about the importance of addressing health in any mitigation strategies;
To elevate awareness of the importance of health and climate change more broadly on the political agenda - including impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation.

Event Program

Video from this event

Time (EST)	Event
7:30 a.m	Registration and Breakfast (courtesy of the UN Foundation)
8:20 a.m	Welcome Dr. Christopher Portier (56KB) , Associate Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, US National Institutes of Health
8:30 a.m.	Opening Comments Chair: Sir Mark Walport, Director, Wellcome Trust Dr. Christopher Portier (56KB) , Associate Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Mr. Ban Ki-moon (28KB) , Secretary-General, United Nations (by video) 512 481 /resources/images/niehs512.png The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius (41KB) , US Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (by video) 512 481 /resources/images/niehs512.png Dr. Margaret Chan (29KB) , Director-General, World Health Organization (by video) 512 481 /resources/images/niehs512.png Right Honorable Andy Burnham MP (25KB) , Secretary of State for Health, UK
9:00 a.m.	Study Findings Chair: Dr. Richard Horton, Editor, The Lancet London Prof. Sir Andy Haines (40KB) (summary findings and policy implications), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Alan Dangour (food and agriculture), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Paul Wilkinson (household energy), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) James Woodcock (transport), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Anil Markandya (electricity), Basque Centre for Climate Change Washington Prof. Kirk R. Smith (40KB) (short-lived greenhouse gases), University of California, Berkeley Dr. Michael Jerrett (14KB) (short-lived greenhouse gases), University of California, Berkeley
10:00 a.m.	Public Health Policy Panel Discussion and Q&A with Panelists Moderator: Dr. David Heymann, Head, Centre on Global Health Security, Chatham House US Panel Members Dr. Jon Kim Andrus (23KB) , Deputy Director, Pan American Health Organization Prof. Rita Colwell (30KB) , University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University Dr. Roger Glass (33KB) , Director, Fogarty International Center, US National Institutes of Health UK Panel Members Dr. Nafees Meah (19KB) , Head of Science, Department of Energy and Climate Change Dr. Maria Neira (38KB) , Director, Public Health and the Environment Department, World Health Organization Dr. David Pencheon (13KB) , Director, National Health Service Sustainable Development Unit Discussion Topics Impact of findings on Copenhagen negotiations and mitigation strategies How to facilitate technological changes How to facilitate behavioral changes
11:20 a.m	Closing Comments Sir William Castell, Chairman, Wellcome Trust Dr. Linda Birnbaum (37KB) , Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, US National Institutes of Health
11:30 a.m.	Press Conference - Q&A (UK video link ends) Moderator: Dr. Linda Birnbaum (37KB) , Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, US National Institutes of Health Opening Comments: Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, US Department of Health and Human Services Dr. Jon Kim Andrus (23KB) , Deputy Director, Pan American Health Organization Dr. Roberto Bertollini, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe Prof. Rita Colwell (30KB) , University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University Dr. Roger Glass (33KB) , Director, Fogarty International Center, US National Institutes of Health Dr. Michael Jerrett (14KB) , University of California, Berkeley Prof. Kirk R. Smith (40KB) , University of California, Berkeley
12:30 p.m.	Adjourn

Issues covered

Impact of findings on Copenhagen negotiations and mitigation strategies
How to facilitate technological changes?
How to facilitate behaviour changes?

Discussion included full range of sectors examined in study

Transport
Household energy
Electricity generation
Food and agriculture
Short-lived greenhouse pollutants
Public health
Climate change negotiations
Behavioral change

The Lancet , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , Department of Health , Economic and Social Research Council , Royal College of Physicians , National Institute for Health Research , The Academy of Medical Sciences , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, The Wellcome Trust