Reducing Pollution and its Impacts on Health and Climate Change:
A Vital Part of the G20’s “Safeguarding the Planet” Agenda

GAHP-hosted Panel Discussion at the C20 (Civil Society 20) Summit, Friday October 9 2020, 7:30 – 9 am EST/13:30 – 15:00 Central European time.

Panelists will present key data on pollution and discuss how pollution impacts C20 and G20 priority areas of empowering people and safeguarding the planet. Discussions will focus on impacts of pollution on health, climate and environment, gender, youth and education, and how failing to address pollution will prevent the world from achieving the SDGs.

Panelists will also highlight solutions, make key recommendations, and present concrete policy options that, when implemented, can show rapid results for human health and contribute to the green economy.

Register now for the C20 Summit.

Moderator: Rachael Kupka, Acting Executive Director, Global Alliance on Health and Pollution

Rachael Kupka is the Acting Executive Director of the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), a Swiss foundation and network of 60+ governments, UN and other international organisations, academia and civil society that promotes greater awareness of the fact that although pollution is responsible for 16% of deaths worldwide, almost entirely in low and middle income countries (LMICs), it receives relatively little policy attention and only a tiny fraction of international development assistance. GAHP (www.gahp.net) researches the links between particular pollutants and the global burden of disease and partners with others to help governments prioritise cost effective actions to address pollution problems at source.

PANELISTS

Richard Fuller, Founder and President, Pure Earth

Richard Fuller is founder and president of the nonprofit Pure Earth (formerly known as Blacksmith Institute), dedicated to solving pollution problems in low- and middle-income countries, where human health is at risk. In October 2017, he co-chaired the groundbreaking Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, bringing a group of 50 top researchers together to produce a report, which outlined the enormous health and economic costs of pollution and laid out solutions. The report reached over 2 billion people, a global audience of unprecedented proportions, and changed the conversation on pollution. In 2018, Fuller was awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia for services to conservation and the environment. He is the author of the book “The Brown Agenda.” He is also the founder and absentee Chairman of Great Forest Inc., one of the leading sustainability consulting companies in the U.S. 

Dr. Lilian Corra, Professor, Favoloro University, Buenos Aires

Dr. Lilian Corra is a paediatrician/neonatologist with a strong background in environmental education and environmental issues. She has extensive experience in the impacts of environmental factors on health. She has a remarkable track record in raising awareness about chemicals and human health, and especially on the impact of vulnerable population groups – children. Her efforts have led to several child-oriented chemical safety activities and research initiatives. Dr. Corra has also been involved in the planning and implementation of capacity-building activities on chemical safety and human health, contributing significantly to international efforts.

Dr. Jack Caravanos, Clinical Professor of Environmental Public Health Sciences, New York University/Director of Research, Pure Earth

Dr. Caravanos is board certified in industrial hygiene (CIH) and prides himself as being a practicing field-based environmental health scientist. Since 2005, Dr. Caravanos has traveled to over 20 countries assisting partners in both the private and government sector in sampling and assessing environmental health threats from hazardous waste sites and operations. Dr. Caravanos has conducted dozens of environmental health assessments of e-waste sites, backyard smelters, gold mining sites and tanneries.

Raymond Ruyoka, Reproductive Health Uganda

Raymond Ruyoka is an advocacy officer working on SDGs and climate change projects. He coordinates a network of partners working with young people and is a regional coordinator for Africa with partners in 25 countries. Raymond is a member of the United Nations NGO Major Group and has attended and presented at several high-level events. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health.

Prarthana Borah, India Director, Clean Air Asia

Prarthana Borah is India Director of Clean Air Asia, an international not for profit headquartered in Manila working towards better air quality in over 1000 cities in Asia. Based in New Delhi, Prarthana leads the implementation of the India Strategy of Clean Air Asia. She has been working with City Municipal Corporations to assess air quality management status of over 30 Indian cities as well as the preparation/ implementation of air action plans. She is also a sector expert with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of Government of India, for tracking air quality indicators of smart cities. Under the National Clean Air Programme, she leads Clean Air Asia’s capacity development programme for its technical partner GIZ. She is also mentor to several start up programmes and has been involved in conceptualising and leading the preparation of a Technology Policy Brief for pollution abatement. Prarthana is also involved in public and youth engagement programmes including the Youth Clean Air Network, that trains youth to contribute to better air quality. She has been involved in assessing AQ in play areas to engage communities in understanding the need for clean air for healthy play spaces and developed the Train for Clean Air- Kids, a module on teaching about air pollution to middle school children. An Environmental Sustainability Strategist with more than 20 years’ experience, prior to joining Clean Air Asia, she has been involved in policy support initiatives including preparation of the Government of India’s policy documents for the UNFCCC Climate COP21 in Paris, the UN Biodiversity COP to CBD in 2012 and for the negotiation of the SDGs by Government of India at United Nations in 2015.

Dr. Ibtihal Fadhil, Founder and Chairperson, Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance

Dr Fadhil is the founder and chairperson of the eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance. A medical doctor with an MSc and PhD in public health, she has worked on NCD control at government and CSOs level. As WHO Regional Adviser on non communicable diseases, Dr. Fadhil has worked with most of the regional CSOs for more than 8 years and developed the core regional network of CSOs working against non-communicable diseases. Dr Fadhil’s main focus of work has been to establish the regional platform to facilitate engagement of local NGOs in NCD advocacy activities and be part of local decision-making processes. Dr Fadhil is a board member of the global NCD Alliance and a member of various regional societies for NCD prevention and control including cancer control, diabetes, genetic diseases and tobacco control societies. Dr. Fadhil has worked jointly with the World Health Organization and other regional partners to develop the civil society organization capacity-building program. This program has been instrumental in uniting CSOs at national and regional levels.