We welcomed the public to join us at Environ 2021, the 31st Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium for a public panel discussion from special guests Professor Paul Ekins (Professor of Resources and Environment Policy at University College London), Dr Ina Kelly (Consultant in Public Health Medicine, and Chair of the HSE Public Health Medicine Environment and Health Group) and Denise Cahill (Healthy Cities Coordinator for Cork City and Adjunct Lecturer in the School of Public Health in University College Cork).

The theme of Environ 2021 was “Healthy Planet, Healthy Communities”. Planetary health and human health and well-being are inextricably linked; a stable and comfortable climate, clean air to breathe, high quality water to drink, and nutritious food to eat are just some of the services of a healthy planet to humans. The COVID 19 pandemic clearly illustrates the close link between the natural environment and people and that when we damage the Earth and its ecosystems, we damage our own health.  It is increasingly recognised that the local environment in which we live can have a significant impact on our physical and mental health and wellbeing e.g. community access to high quality green spaces is now an integral part of urban planning. Communities and other societal actors can also be key catalysts in creating momentum for transitioning to a zero carbon and climate resilient society.

Chaired by Dr Jean O’Dwyer, Lead of the Water and Environment Research Group in the UCC School of BEES and the ERI, panel guests shared their professional insight to both national and international health challenges and discussed solutions.

In case you missed this public webinar, you can watch the full recording here now: