CAPE is concerned about Ecosystem Health, Human Health and Sustainable Development.

Ecosystem Health and Human Health
"Ecosystem health may be defined as a systematic approach to the preventative, diagnostic, and prognostic aspects of ecosystem management, and to the understanding of relationships between ecosystem health and human health. It seeks to understand and optimize the intrinsic capacity of an ecosystem for self-renewal while meeting reasonable human goals. It encompasses the role of societal values, attitudes and goals in shaping our conception of health at human and ecosystem scales." (Source: Ecosystem Health - The official journal of the International Society for Ecosystem Health).

In 1948, the World Health Organization defined health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being." Since then, we have come to a better understanding of the place of humans within the global ecosystem. It might be more appropriate, today, to say that health is a state of complete physical, mental, social and ecological well-being. The level of health we enjoy in Canada today is the result of centuries of social and economic development rooted in exploitation of the earth''s natural resources. Ultimately, our health depends upon the health of the ecosystem of which we are a part.

"Population health, viewed within an ecological and longitudinal framework and across multiple scales, can be understood as an expression of the sustained functioning of the many ecosystems and natural cycles that constitute earth''s life support systems. Although, for the moment, longevity continues to increase in most countries, these health gains will dissipate if life''s ecological infrastructure is not sustained." (McMichael et al., 1996, Sustainable Health in a Globalized World (Beijer Discussion Paper #87), Stockholm: Beijer International Institute of Ecological Economics, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.)

CAPE''s Objectives

• To educate physicians on environmental issues, providing them with both accurate information and a framework for thinking about environmental problems
• To prepare spokespersons to comment on the health implications of environmental issues in an accurate and rigorous manner
• To serve as a "think tank" for considering the health implications of environmental issues
• To provide a forum in which physicians can meet and discuss health issues associated with environmental problems together with non-physician colleagues who have the knowledge and insight they need
• To advocate certain positions or courses of action

The Canadian Affiliate of the International

Society of Doctors for the Environment
The International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE) has recognized the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment as its Canadian affiliate, effective 18 September 1994. ISDE is an international federation of physicians'' organizations concerned with the environment, founded in 1990. ISDE in the fall of 1994 recognized 24 national and regional affiliates and had individual members in 50 countries, for a combined total of about 20,000 members. ISDE is headquartered in Switzerland and sponsors a Scientific Center and International School on Environment and Health, based in Italy. ISDE is officially recognized by the United Nations as a non-governmental organization.

History

In the early years of CAPE, its activities were linked with and partially supported by the Tricouncil EcoResearch Chair in Environmental Risk Management at the University of Alberta, held by Dr. Steve Hrudey. By tying the development of the organization to the Chair''s activities in risk communication and professional education, the new organization could benefit from office support from the University as an academic activity and could also serve as a proving ground for new ideas and approaches in professional development. However, the governance and the agenda of the Association has always been controlled by its officers and members and as the term of the Chair is ending this academic link is also ending.

Looking back, it is possible to identify three distinct phases of development in CAPE''s early years:

• Start-up, from 1993 to the 1995 AGM. In this phase, the organization was a wish, not a reality, and consisted of like-minded professionals who wanted this thing to succeed. Having an official identity and charitable number did not guarantee success, of course. Involving the tiny membership in the affairs of the organization and the development of a reasonable agenda were the paramount concerns. Even so, our efforts won the attention of ISDE and we soon developed a profile within ISDE far out of proportion to our small size.
• Consolidation, from the 1995 to the 1997 AGMs. In this phase, we got our feet on the ground, got organized, put the Newsletter on a more or less regular quarterly basis, and prepared ourselves to act as spokespersons on complicated environmental issues. The emphasis was on education, organizational details, and setting priorities among the many items that could be on CAPE''s agenda of activities. We showed our potential by presenting our views at important conferences and by submitting important briefing documents on policy matters (with Dr. Peter Carter, in particular, taking the lead). The membership grew, but the organization remains small.
• Expansion, from 1997 through today. In the current phase, we have our act together, basically, but we know that expanding our membership and resource base will be critical to the organization''s future. If CAPE is to fulfill its potential as a voice of Canadian medicine on environmental affairs, it has to grow, establish relationships with other organizations and develop a funding base.

CAPE is an ambitious organization, full of potential, limited only by its current size and funding. The imagination, influence and visibility that this small organization has already shown are impressive. The next few years will show how well we meet this potential.