4 1 / 2022 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS
“ We need to achieve a healthy relationship with nature ”
Leopoldina members Antje Boetius and Thomas Mettenleiter on G7 agenda setting
Graphic : Sisters of Design
The science academies of the G7 countries help to shape the agenda of the G7 summit meetings between heads of state and government – this year under the Leopoldina ‘ s leadership . As part of the Science7 process , they prepare statements on four topics . This year ’ s topics are climate action in polar regions , the restructuring of the energy system , the use of antivirals as a means of defence against future pandemics and the One Health approach . Marine researcher Antje Boetius ML and virologist Thomas Mettenleiter ML are involved in this process .
Why should climate action , the energy transition and global health all form part of the G7 agenda ? Antje Boetius : All four statements tie in with the major challenge of transformation . Humanity has created a situation where there is a considerable imbalance between humankind , on the one hand , and nature and all other forms of life on earth , on the other . The G7 countries have played a significant role in this . But they now have the chance to make a substantial contribution to finding the required solutions . We need to achieve a healthy relationship with nature – one which will protect us from being constantly exposed to new disasters and extremes . Thomas Mettenleiter : Health is another factor common to all four issues . After all , the climate crisis is primarily also a health emergency . The statement on zoonoses , antibiotic resistance and One Health emphasises the links between these two emergencies . In essence , the One Health approach addresses how the health of humans , animals and the environment is inextricably linked . This is demonstrated by the fact that around 60 percent of infectious diseases known to affect humans originated from animals . Examples include measles , HIV and influenza . More than 75 percent of newly emerging infectious disease , such as COVID-19 , are zoonoses , which means that they can be transmitted between animals and humans . Influencing factors like climate change also form part of the One Health approach .
Are pandemics expected to become more common in the future ? Mettenleiter : Most pandemics emerge as a result of pathogens jumping from animals to humans . Animal-to-human transmission has become much more likely due to increased human contact with domestic , farm and wild animals . This can be attributed to a growing population , a greater demand for animal products , more intense land use , deforestation and climate change . One of the ideas behind One Health is to recognise and reduce risky points of contact between humans and animals . To achieve this , we need to identify the driving forces and gain a greater understanding of the impact of changes in land use , such as forest clearance .