The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently published a report titled ‘Making Peace with Nature’. This was unveiled before the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5). The report details how climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are three interconnected planetary emergencies that have put the welfare of present and future generations at an unacceptable risk.
The Three Planetary Emergencies: Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution
Climate change is found to be increasing the likelihood of the Arctic Ocean becoming ice-free in summer, leading to disruptions in ocean circulation and Arctic ecosystems. Changes in wildfires and water stress driven by climate change, coupled with biodiversity loss, enhance land degradation and drought in particular regions.
Biodiversity loss is another significant concern. Over a million of the estimated eight million plant and animal species face an increased risk of extinction. Coral reefs, particularly susceptible to climate change, are expected to shrink to 10-30% of their former coverage at 1.5°C of warming and less than 1% at 2°C of warming. This could severely affect food provision, tourism, and coastal protection.
Pollution is the third existential threat discussed in the report. Every year, nine million people pass away prematurely due to pollution-related causes. Industrial activities dump up to 400 million tons of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge, and other wastes into the world’s waters annually.
The Impact on Inequalities
Human prosperity is under strain due to widening inequalities. The poor and vulnerable groups shoulder the brunt of environmental decline, posing an even greater threat to today’s youth and the upcoming generations. The inequity in economic growth leads to persistent poverty for 1.3 billion individuals.
The report states that the ongoing and projected changes in climate, pollution, and biodiversity loss make the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) increasingly challenging. The prevailing development model diminishes Earth’s finite capacity to support human welfare.
Evaluation of Performance over Different Targets
Society seems to be falling short in its commitments to curb environmental damage. We are off-course in achieving goals such as land degradation neutrality, Aichi Targets, and the Paris Agreement targets.
Suggestions for a Sustainable Future
The report emphasizes that human knowledge, technology, cooperation, and ingenuity can transform societies and economies to secure a sustainable future. Given the interconnected nature of climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and air and water pollution, there is an urgent call to address these issues collectively.
Governments need to scale up their actions to meet the Paris Agreement targets and limit dangerous climate change. Economic and financial systems require transformation to drive the shift towards sustainability. Circular economic systems that reuse resources, reduce emissions, and eliminate harmful chemicals can provide sustainable solutions while creating jobs.
About the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The UNEP is a leading global environmental authority established on 5th June 1972. Its functions include setting the global environmental agenda, promoting sustainable development within the United Nations system, and advocating for global environment protection. It operates from its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and releases major reports such as the Emission Gap Report, Adaptation Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Frontiers, and Invest into Healthy Planet. It also runs major campaigns like Beat Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day, and Wild for Life.
About the United Nations Environment Assembly
The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the governing body of the UN Environment Programme. It is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment. It meets every two years to set priorities for global environmental policies and develop international environmental law. UNEA was established in June 2012 during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as RIO+20.
