Global Environment Outlook

Global Environment Outlook

Question: Consider the following statements in respect to the Global Environment Report released recently and choose the correct option:
(1) The report is released by United Nations Environment Program
(2) The report mentions that a quarter of all premature deaths and diseases worldwide are due to manmade pollution and environmental damage
(3) 1.4m people die each year due to lack of access to clean drinking supplies
(4) This report was first published in 2010
Correct option:

(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c)
Related facts:

  • United Nation Environment released it Global Environment Report in Nairobi, Kenya on 13th March, 2019.
  • The report mentions that a quarter of all premature deaths and diseases worldwide are due to man-made pollution and environmental damage.
  • The report is prepared in six years by 250 scientists from 70 nations.
  • The report shows a growing gap between rich and poor countries as extensive over-consumption, pollution and food waste in the developed world leads to hunger, poverty and disease elsewhere.
  • 1.4m people die each year due to lack of access to clean drinking supplies from preventable diseases such as diarrhea and parasites linked to pathogen-riddled water and poor sanitation.
  • The report warns that deadly smog emissions, chemicals polluting drinking water and the accelerating destruction of ecosystems which is crucial to the livelihoods of billions of people are driving a worldwide epidemic that hampers the global economy.
  • The poor environmental conditions cause approximately 25% of global disease and mortality, around 9 million deaths in 2015 only.
  • The report says air pollution causes 6-7 million early deaths annually.
  • Food waste accounts for 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The world currently throws away a third of total food production, in richer nations the figure is approximately 56%.

Global Environment Outlook (GEO):

  • The Global Environment Outlook (GEO) is often referred to as UN Environment’s flagship environmental assessment.  The first publication was issued in 1997.
  • It is a flagship report because it fulfills the core functions of the organization, which date back to the UN General Assembly resolution that established the UN Environment Programme in 1972.

Links:

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/environment-damage-behind-a-quarter-of-premature-deaths-diseases-un-report/article26524718.ece

https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2019/0313/1036119-environment-damage-health/

https://www.unenvironment.org/global-environment-outlook