NordGlobal 2019 : 2nd International Joint Conference on Global Change : Quality of Life in an Age of Global Change

Abstract

In the last decades, we have been witnessing dramatic human-induced earth system changes, the most notable being climate change, but also biodiversity loss, pollution, acidification of the oceans, deforestation and the overexploitation of non-renewable resources. Furthermore, more than half of the world’s population currently lives in urban areas. This increasing urbanization has some social and economic advantages, such as better education, health care, sanitation, housing, but also significant consequences on the environment, our lifestyle and well-being. These consequences include development of slums, increased crime rate, fast spread of diseases and management of huge amounts of human wastes. Despite the seriousness of the problems, most people are still not aware of the effects and consequences. Thus, there is a need to not only increase the awareness of the general public, but also to strengthen the collaboration between the main partners involved in decision making, namely the various governmental bodies, industry and research community. Acknowledging the importance of global changes, Nord University (NORD) and the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Kosice organized the 1st joint international conference “The impact of global change on the environment, human and animal health” in Košice in May 2017. After completion of this conference, and based on its success, it was decided to strengthen the bilateral collaboration between UVLF and NORD, and continue the dissemination related to global changes by the establishment of a series of relevant bi-annual international conferences. The 2nd International Joint Conference on Global Change with the title “NordGlobal2019 - Quality of Life in an Age of Global Change” takes place in Bodø, on 21-22 May 2019. The conference has a cross-disciplinary character and while the main focus is on the interactions between human activities, animal health and the environment, there are presentations on the intense urbanization, sustainable bio-economy and the future of energy sources.