Scientists from around the world wrapped up a four-day conference in Madison yesterday after discussing the environmental health risks being created and exponentially promoted across the globe.

The conference, EcoHealthOne, consisted of nearly 400 environmental health scientists from 30 countries.

"[EcoHealthOne] is an international conference bringing together experts in health, ecology and sociology," said Jonathan Patz, president of The International Association for Ecology and Health. "That basically brings these fields together … to have them focus on one piece of the problem."

The conference members discussed international health risks, industrial agriculture and climate change-related diseases. Patz said scientists have brought these issues to the association's attention and will now be on their palette for years to come.

Patz added he believes by congregating the scientists, they will find solutions for these many ecological errors.

"I think that global climate warming is one of the biggest [problems]," Patz said. "Whether it is in terms of agriculture and water to coastal zones and human health."

With these threats budding in today's ecological environment, the city of Madison intends to confront these issues head-on.

George Twigg, spokesperson for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, cited multiple efforts by city government to prevent future environmental hazards and to recuperate from past mistakes.

"[Environmental safety] is very important," Twigg said. "One of the things that makes Madison attractive is its quality of life; it's hard to imagine a good quality of life without clean air and water and that's something we need to work on preserving."

By concentrating on run-off control and Madison's public transportation system, Twigg said the mayor plans on curbing both air and water pollution. He also said Cieslewicz will increase Metro funding, which will be used to purchase five diesel-electric hybrid buses.

Along with the city's continued support, Patz also said five schools and institutes at the University of Wisconsin have sponsored the International Association.

Despite support from both the city and the university, Patz stressed one group that may not be holding its own — community involvement.

"We [the United States] are four percent of the world population," he said. "But, we also produce 25 percent of the world's greenhouse gases."

Without the support of the community, Patz said he believes it would take much longer for the association's efforts to take root.

In a world under a constant barrage from environmental threats such as avian flu and global warming, the International Association for Ecology and Health will have its hands full and its eyes open.

"We're fortunate to have a very good environmental quality right now, but there are threats on the horizon," Twigg said. "And we have to realize it will take everyone's efforts — businesses, individuals, and the government — in order to ensure our quality of life."