“Your efforts are urgent,” he stated in a video message to the sixth version of the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA-6).
“Our planet is on the brink, ecosystems are collapsing, our climate is imploding, and humanity is to blame.”
Action now
The UNEA is the world’s highest decision-making physique on the surroundings and goals to assist restore concord between individuals and nature.
This newest session concludes on Friday, and representatives from greater than 180 international locations have been negotiating resolutions on points starting from nature-based options and extremely hazardous pesticides to land degradation and drought.
Delegates’ focus has additionally been on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). These regional and worldwide accords, a few of that are greater than 50 years previous, have helped to guard endangered species, restrict chemical air pollution, and restore the opening within the ozone layer.
UNEA position vital
In his message on Thursday – the Assembly’s high-level section – the Secretary-General spoke in regards to the fallout from the environmental crises that the planet is going through, starting from poisoned rivers to rising sea ranges.
He confused the necessity for motion, together with to speed up the shift to renewable vitality, adapt to excessive climate and to ship local weather justice, highlighting the UNEA’s important position.
“You have shown before that you can unite and deliver – most recently with your historic decision to negotiate a plastic treaty,” he stated. “I urge you to do so again – and go further.”
A sustainable surroundings
The President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, additionally addressed UNEA-6, centering his remarks on the connection between a wholesome surroundings and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“For years, we have known that a healthy environment is both an essential requirement for, and key enabler of, a more safe, just, and prosperous tomorrow,” he stated.
Although the objectives present a blueprint for a extra simply and equitable future for each individuals and the planet, he warned that they’re “woefully off track” of their 2030 deadline.
“Given that we are confronting an environmental emergency and the consequential need to act with urgency, we must ensure that the outcome of this UNEA-6 advances the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment – that, it promotes truly multilateral responses to restore the balance with nature,” he stated.
Health underneath risk
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, spoke of the “inextricable, yet fragile” bond between the well being of people, animals and the surroundings.
If the planet have been a affected person “it would be admitted to intensive care”, he stated. Therefore, no marvel human well being can be struggling.
For instance, he stated extra frequent and extreme climate occasions trigger deaths and accidents, extra heatwaves contribute to extra heart problems, whereas air air pollution drives lung most cancers, bronchial asthma and continual obstructive pulmonary illness.
Other species have additionally been affected. Climate change is resulting in shifts within the behaviour, distribution, motion, vary, and depth of mosquitoes, birds and different animals which might be spreading infectious illnesses equivalent to dengue and malaria to new areas.
Furthermore, unlawful wildlife buying and selling can be growing the danger of zoonotic spillover that may set off a pandemic, thus highlighting the significance of major prevention to scale back danger.
“The threats to health from climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss are not hypothetical risks in the future. They are right here and right now, which makes health the most compelling reason for climate action,” he stated.
With the “patient” in peril, Tedros known as for remodeling vitality, transport, meals and well being techniques, including that “we must transform especially ourselves, to break out of our siloed mindsets and work for effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral action.”