Network Updates / Geneva / 2017-11-16

No one is safe from pollution:
New UN Environment Report

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A new report from UN Environment explores the latest data on pollution from every continent and finds that every person on the planet is harmfully affected by pollution. In fact, pollution is the world’s largest killer.

Overall, environmental degradation accounts for nearly one in four of all deaths worldwide, or 12.6 million people a year, as well as a barrage of human health problems and widespread destruction of key ecosystems.

“What makes this report different is the breadth of its analysis and the new ambition of its solutions,” said head of UN Environment, Erik Solheim. “It provides a clearer picture than ever before of the scale of the pollution menace – and the scale of action that will be needed. None of us is now safe, so now all of us have to act.”

The report also lays out 50 potential policy approaches to fight pollution. Solutions are attainable! But solving the problem will require a shift in policies, bolder leadership and greater funding.

Read the full report here: Towards a Pollution Free Planet – Report of the Executive Director.