Berlin – The Independent Advisory Council for Environmental Issues recommends that the federal government link environmental protection and health protection more closely.

The Council today handed over to Berlin a corresponding document Document Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens).

A healthy environment is a prerequisite for people’s health and quality of life, the Council explained. Federal, state and local governments should view this as a cross-cutting policy task. According to the report, the climate crisis, species extinction and environmental pollution are the three major environmental crises that have a strong impact on people. Fine dust, for example, would have a high impact on health.

The report also analyzes the spread of antibiotic resistance through livestock farming, the health risks associated with chemicals and the health consequences of heat waves.

“We need to stop climate change, limit animal husbandry and adapt to changing environmental conditions,” Lauterbach explained. Heat waves, pandemics or resistance to antibiotics are real dangers “that we cannot totally avoid, but that we can reduce and confront”.

Lemke announced that he would further expand cooperation between the two ministries in environmental health studies, in the environment and health action program, and at European and international level.

According to its own statements, the Environmental Advisory Council has been advising the federal government as an independent scientific body since 1972. It is said to be one of the oldest institutions providing scientific advice for German environmental policy. © kna/aerzteblatt.de