Vital GEO Graphics

D ownload G raphic 2

Multiple environmental changes and their effects on human well-being constituents and determinants

Ecosystem services (provisioning, regulating/ supporting, cultural)

Environmental change

Human well-being

Increased UV-B radiation exposure

Stratospheric ozone depletion

Improved food availability, but also food shortages in places

I ncreased mortality due to heat waves,droughts, floods, storm surges

Reduced water quality and availability in some regions

Climate variability and change (extreme climate events)

Decreased winter mortality in the northern hemisphere

Increased incidence of vector- and water-borne diseases

Land degradation

Increased mortality and morbidity due to vector- and water-borne diseases, local air pollution, food and water shortages

Increase in air pollution in some localities

Land cover change (from agriculture, forest, fisheries)

Increased soi l erosion, sedimentation, landslides, floods

Cultural lossdue to habitat and species loss

Freshwater (decline in quality and quantity, diversion)

Migration due to conflict and environmental degradation or extreme climatic event s

Coastal zone degradation

Loss of medicinal plants

Source: based on WHO 2003

Interlinkages Environmental change may affect human well- being in more than one way. For example, emis- sions of carbon dioxide contribute both to climate change and to acidification of the oceans. In addition, land, water and atmosphere are linked in many ways, particularly through carbon, nutri- ent and water cycles, so that one form of change leads to another. Environmental risks affect a wide range of natu- ral, economic, political and social activities and processes. Therefore, vulnerability reduction should be integrated as a strategic goal in overall development planning in order to achieve the Mil- lennium Development Goals. Analyzing patterns of vulnerability helps identify a number of oppor- tunities to reduce such vulnerability and improve human well-being.

The role of women in environmental management and sustainable development is vitally important and increasingly recognized. Above, women planting trees in Kenya as part of the Green Belt Movement. Credit: William Campbell/Still Pictures

45 ENV I RONMENTAL GOVERNANCE