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Global Environment Outlook
Report

Global Environment Outlook

GEO-6: Healthy Planet, Healthy People

UN Environment
Cambridge UP, 2019
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Editorial Rating

10

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Recommendation

The sixth Global Environment Outlook report by the United Nations Environment Programme emphasizes that human health is inextricably linked to a healthy planet. Its academic, neutral tone doesn’t disguise the fact that the Earth is in danger and that urgent action must happen now to curb the worst – perhaps unsurvivable – effects of climate change and resource degradation. The report outlines what must be done – rapidly and globally.

Summary

The world faces an existential challenge to provide for the well-being of 10 billion inhabitants by 2050 while preserving Earth’s life-supporting ecosystems.

Exceeding or continuing to exceed the capacity of the planet’s natural ecosystems diminishes everyone’s quality of life, health, safety and economic prospects. The United Nations presents its path for sustainable development in its 2030 Agenda, and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (17 SDGs). Sustainability encompasses economic, environmental and social goals founded in respect for human rights.

The environment inextricably links to hunger, migration and gender disparities. Economic growth too often reflects environmental depletion that harms long-term revenues and well-being and which can lead to conflict. Extreme weather patterns and land degradation force peoples to migrate, which leads to political unrest. Sustainable policies seek to preserve the environment while providing economic opportunity. 

The surface temperature of the Earth correlates with carbon emissions. ...

About the Author

Founded in 1972, the UN Environment Programme is a division of the United Nations that coordinates the UN’s environmental activities and helps developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices.

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