MADRID, June 3 (IPS) – Before articleIPS reported on some UNICEF keys detect about the harsh effects on the world’s children – and Planet Earth as a whole – of the overconsumption of most rich countries.
One of them is that if everyone were to consume resources at the rate that people in the United States, Canada, and Luxembourg do, it would take at least five Earths.
But there is a problem
And that is there is an Earth.
“In the Universe there are billions of galaxies… In our Galaxy there are billions of planets… But there is one Earth (#OnlyOneEarth) reminds the UN on the occasion of 2022 World Environment Day marked on June 5.
More than ever, this single Earth is facing an emergency of three planets: the climate is warming too fast for humans and nature to adapt; Habitat loss and other pressures mean that an estimated 1 million species are threatened with extinction, and pollution continues to poison the air, soil and water.
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) explain that the current tri-planetary crisis consists of three interrelated issues that threaten human health and the environment: climate change, loss of nature and biodiversity, pollution and waste.
Consequence
See more articles IPS World Environment Day (I): The richest 1% pollute more than the poorest 50%pointed out the main causes leading to the current rate of depletion of the world’s natural resources, here are some of the most prominent consequences of human activities:
Despite all of the above, there is still a big gap. That gap between what the world needs to spend to adapt and what it is actually spending is widening.
In fact, the United Nations reports that the estimated costs of adaptation continue to rise and could reach $280-500 billion per year by 2050 for developing countries.
Time is running out
The United Nations warns time is running out and nature is in emergency mode.
“Without action, exposure to air pollution exceeding safety guidelines will increase by 50% within a decade and plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems will nearly triple by 2020. year 2040.”
Half a century ago…
The theme “Only One Earth” of World Environment Day is the first slogan United Nations conference on human environment, was held in Stockholm in June 1972. Since then, a full half century has passed. And the situation is becoming more and more dangerous.
Just ahead of this year’s World Environment Day, world leaders and representatives from governments, business, international organisations, civil society and youth, gathered on 2 and 3 June 2022 in Sweden to Stockholm + 50 – an international meeting to promote action towards a healthy planet for all.
Is there any way out?
Probably. According to the UN, key areas for transformation include “how we build and live in our homes, cities, places of work and worship, how and where our money is invested…”
“But others of greater importance include: energy, production systems, global transport and trade systems, and the protection of biodiversity.”
So there will be a way out, but how? The world agency says the good news is that solutions and technologies already exist and are increasingly affordable.
Fine, but…
A quarter of a century ago, in Athens, a United Nations-supported meeting of Mediterranean business representatives informed the urgent need to take action to save Mare Nostrum from the devastating effects of the pandemic. of marine pollution from the mainland, mainly caused by the region’s industries, oil and gas infrastructure, oil transportation (at that time an average of about 2,000 oil tankers crossed the sea… and any other what minute…), and so on.
The business sector is then recommended to rapidly move towards cleaner production, cleaner transport, etc.
The representative of a relevant business immediately reacted: “All this is great. We totally agree. But will you pay for that? We are the business, our work. is to make money, so…”
But who can really ‘pay’ for that?
The world’s most industrialized countries don’t seem interested in helping solve the problems they mostly cause. On the contrary, the necessary help is gradually reduced to which they themselves have pledged.
Just see what IPS journalists Thalif Deen just reported in his paper: UN ‘Deep Trouble’ With Wealthy Countries About To Cut Development Aid.
Go and find more resources in outer space?
In the face of the relentless depletion of the only natural resource on Earth, large businesses – and some of the world’s wealthiest individuals – have generously funded the exploration – and exploitation – in addition to Space.
Is it to find food, water and fertile ground for the world’s one billion hungry people? Or rather find more minerals to provide highly lucrative technologies?
Another question: why is the powerful military industry so interested in space exploration – and even militarization? Is it also about minerals? After all, more than ever before, today’s wars require sophisticated, high-tech weapons.
© Inter Press Service (2022) – All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service
