World must unite to tackle top issues, warns UN

THE world needs to join forces to tackle the 'Big Four' of environmental crises threatening the planet - climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and pollution - according to a new UN report.

- BYTAMMY WEBBER

Those issues are inextricably linked and require solutions that include increased spending and financial incentives to transition away from fossil fuels, encourage sustainable agricultural practices, curb pollution and limit waste, the authors of the UN Environment Programme's quadrennial Global Environment Outlook said.

"You can't think of climate change without thinking of biodiversity, land degradation and pollution," said Bob Watson, one of the lead authors and a former top NASA and British climate scientist. "You can't think of biodiversity loss without thinking about the implications of climate change and pollution."

They're "all undermining our economy", worsening health and poverty and threatening food and water security and even national security, Watson said.

Almost 300 scientists from 83 countries contributed to this year's report - called the most comprehensive global environment assessment ever undertaken - which was released during the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya.

FUTURE

Experts have warned that the world is nearing a tipping point on climate change, species and land loss and other harms. But efforts to address those problems largely have been pursued through individual agreements that haven't made nearly enough progress, they said.

Instead, they advocate an approach that involves every area of government, the financial sector, industry and citizens and a circular economy that recognises that natural resources are limited.