Wildlife and Human Diseases: Symptoms of Endangered Marine Ecosystems and Climate Change
May 22, 2001
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Sponsored by: The Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard
Medical School, the Consortium for Conservation Medicine, Wildlife Trust
and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Made possible through generous support from The Oak Foundation, The Educational
Foundation of America, The Homeland Foundation and The Richard and Rhoda
Goldman Fund
Introduction
The marine coastal environment is being subjected to increasing pressures
from residential, recreational, and commercial development. Spills, leaks
and accidents associated with oil extraction and transport create additional
disturbances. The combined impacts are altering coastal marine biology,
while the new stresses posed by a warming and more volatile climate are
contributing to the emergence of diseases across a wide range of species.
Diseases and adverse events affecting marine life are key indicators
of environmental stressors and thus serve as sentinels of change in marine
ecosystems. This briefing will examine diseases emerging in the coastal
environment among marine mammals, marine birds, sea turtles, coral reefs
and those directly impacting human health. We present these findings
with the aim of educating the public about the growing consequences of
coastal activities compounded by a changing climate, in the belief that
this knowledge will contribute to ecological preservation and restoration,
and to policies that promote a cleaner and healthier development.
Agenda
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Opening remarks: Congressmen James
L. Oberstar (D-MN),
Ranking Democrat, Transportation and Infrastructure
The briefing will feature the following topics and expert speakers:
Marine Mammals:
David A. Jessup,
Senior Wildlife Veterinarian, California Dept. of Fish and
Game
Marine Birds:
Flo Tseng,
Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine
Marine Turtles:
Alonso Aguirre,
Wildlife Trust, Director for Conservation Medicine
Coral Reefs:
Raymond L. Hayes, Jr.,
Dept. of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine
Human Health:
Paul R. Epstein,
Associate Director, Center for Health and the Global Environment,
Harvard Medical School
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