People and Planet - from Theory to Solutions /

Programme

Day 1

graphic illustration

Monday 8.11.2021

Opening the Conference

14:00~14:25

Opening words

Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Krista Mikkonen and 

Chancellor of the University of Helsinki, Kaarle Hämeri

Session 1: Crossing boundaries to reach solutions 

Chaired by Professor Tari Haahtela, Hospital District of Helsinki

14:30~15:00

Social tipping dynamics for a rapid decarbonization

Professor Ilona Otto, Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz
15:05~15:25

Climate action for health and wellbeing in cities 

Assistant Professor, Deputy Director Kristine Belesova, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
 

Solutions:

15:25~15:40

Sustainable and Healthy Buildings in the Changing Climate:
Balancing Costs and Benefits

Professor Juha Pekkanen, University of Helsinki, The Finnish Institute for Health Welfare (THL)
15:40~15:55

How to promote sustainable food systems and healthy and safe eating in young children 

Research Professor Suvi Virtanen, The Finnish Institute for Health Welfare (THL)
15:55~16:10

Our life depends on nature

Secretary-General Liisa Rohweder, WWF Finland
16:10~16:30

Discussion

Day 2

graphic illustration in green and blue

Tuesday 9.11.2021   

Session 2: How  the environment affects health 

Chaired by Chief Researcher Jaana Halonen, The Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL)

9:00~9:30

The health benefits of nature  

Professor Liisa Tyrväinen, Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE)
9:35~9:55

The built environment and child health

Lecturer Daniela Fecht, Imperial College London
 

Solutions:
9:55~10:10

The Finnish allergy & asthma program: Practical example of joining forces for long-term action

Adjunct Professor Kimmo Saarinen, South Karelia Allergy and Environment Institute
10:10~10:25

Promoting sustainable well-being and health in health care (child health center experiment in Lahti)

D.Med.Sc. / BSc in Env. Sciences Jaana Laisi, University of Helsinki
10:25~10:45

Discussion
10:45~11:15

Poster session

 

Session 3: Climate change and human health  

Chaired by Director Eeva Furman, the Finnish Environment Institute

11:15~11:45

IPCC and health 

Professor Markku Kulmala, University of Helsinki

 
11:50~12:10

What is being done at the EU level to achieve sustainable living

Member of the European Parliament Sirpa Pietikäinen

 
 

Solutions:
12:10~12:25

How to inspire people to live a good, sustainable life? 

Project Director Markus Terho, Sitra

 
12:25~12:40

The personal carbon trade application CitiCAP  

Project Manager Anna Huttunen, City of Lahti

 
12:40~13:00

Discussion
13:00~13:30

Poster session
13:30~14:00

Lunch break

Session 4: Healthy and sustainable urban areas for humans 

Chaired by Professor Ian MacGregor-Fors, University of Helsinki

 

14:00~14:30

 Global urbanization and its impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity and recent green infrastructure planning efforts in cities  

Professor Dagmar Haase, Humboldt University

 
14:35~14:55

Air quality, urban green spaces, and health

Professor Heikki Setälä, University of Helsinki

 
 

Solutions:
14:55~15:10

Urban greening interventions and land use as tools to enhance immune modulation of urban dwellers 

 Research Scientist Aki Sinkkonen, Finnish Natural Resources Institute (LUKE): 

 
15:10~15:17

Story of Lahti European Green Capital 2021 - from exploitation to love of nature

Program Director Saara Vauramo, City of Lahti

 
15:18~15:25

Scalable atmospheric monitoring solutions for healthier cities

Senior Market Manager Hannamari Jaakkola, Vaisala 
15:25~15:45

Discussion

Day 3

graphic illustration in green and blue

Wednesday 10.11.2021   

Session 5:  Lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemic   

Chaired by Professor Seppo Koskinen, the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare

9:00~9:30

Infectious disease emergence from wildlife - factors enabling pandemics

Associate Professor Tarja Sironen, University of Helsinki

 
9:35~9:55

Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic - Real-life experience in the clinics

D.Med.Sc. Jere Reijula, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS)

 
 

Solutions:
9:55~10:10

New methods: Coronavirus in wastewater   

Professor Davey Jones, Bangor University

 
10:10~10:25

Remote work due to Covid-19: challenge or fortune for wellbeing at work?

Professor Annina Ropponen, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (TTL)
10:25~10:45

Discussion
10:45~11:15

Poster session

 

Session 6: Clean waters and human health 

Chaired by Professor David Thomas, University of Helsinki 

11:15~11:45

Blue spaces, health, and well-being   

Dr. Mathew White, University of Exeter Medical School 
11:50~12:10

Health and the Baltic Sea

Professor Alf Norkko, University of Helsinki
 

Solutions:
12:10~12:25

Water quality monitoring at public bathing areas

Chief Specialist, Associate Professor Tarja Pitkänen, The Finnish Institute for Health Welfare (THL) and the University of Helsinki
12:25~13:40

Managing water in ecologically and socially sustainable ways in cities

Senior Researcher Kati Vierikko, Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)
12:40~13:00

Discussion
13:00~13:30

Poster session
13:30~14:00

Lunch break

Session 7: Sustainable and healthy food systems 

Chaired by Research Scientist Juha-Matti Katajajuuri, Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE)

 

14:00~14:30

 Innovative food value chains for sustainability  

Professor  Bodo Steiner, University of Helsinki

 
14:35~14:55

A climate-friendly Food Programme 

Ministerial Adviser Hanna Mattila, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

 
 

Solutions:
14:55~15:10

The role of legumes in promoting a sustainable food system and health in Finland

Associate Professor, Anne-Maria Pajari, University of Helsinki

 
15:10~15:25

Sustainable diets for all: How to tackle inequalities on our way to more sustainable and healthy food systems?

Research Professor Minna Kaljonen, the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) 

 

15:25~15:45

Discussion

15:45~16:00

Closing the conference

Side event: the NatureStep Program

lake

A new environmental health strategy for the Lahti region, NatureStep, will be announced on Tuesday, 9th of November. 

The event will be held entirely in Finnish. It will be streamed to the City of Lahti YouTube channel, and is freely available for all interested.

 

17:00~17:20

Ympäristö ja terveys - ohjelman syntytarina

Professori Tari Haahtela
17:20~17:30

Luontoaskel terveyteen -ohjelman julkistaminen

Saara Vauramo ja Hanna Haveri
17:30~18:00

Paneelikeskustelu: Ympäristö, terveys, ympäristöterveys?

Juontaja: Kimmo Ohtonen

Lahti – Euroopan Ympäristöpääkaupunki 2021-projektin johtaja Milla Bruneau, Lahti

Pääsihteeri Liisa Rohweder, WWF Suomi

Johtava tutkija Jaana Halonen, Terveyden ja Hyvinvoinnin Laitos

Ympäristövastuun työelämäprofessori Hannele Pokka, Helsingin Yliopisto