The annual report of the World Wildlife Fund WWF shows concerns about the health of the planet "We live as if we have the resources of another planet at our disposal"
"We live as if we have the resources of another planet at our disposal," write the heads of the World Wildlife Fund WWF in the annual "Living Planet Report" which monitors the health of the planet every year. The results are worrying.
The report happens to be published shortly before the Rio+20 conference, the conference on sustainable development that will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from June 20 to 22 under the title: Keep our planet alive.
The demand for natural resources has doubled since 1966. Every year we consume more and more resources than the year before and it seems that one world is not enough "Currently we consume 50% more resources than the Earth provides us" said the report.
This rate is not expected to decrease in the coming years. According to the report, if we continue at the current rate of exploitation of natural resources, in 2030 even two Earths will not be enough for the needs of the human race. "Humanity is living beyond its possibilities," write the authors of the report
The increase in the consumption of resources does not align with the ability of the earth's resource to renew itself. The ecological footprint statistics, which compare the renewable resources that humans consume against the Earth's renewable capacity or biocapacity are clear: the unsustainable level of resource consumption exceeds the renewable capacity of the ecosystem."
The report also states that in the last 40 years, 30% of biodiversity has been lost, while in the tropical regions the rate has reached 60%. Fishing activity has doubled and deforestation is responsible for 5% of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions.
There is a serious risk of the collapse of the ecosystem but not all is lost, the planet can still be saved. Activities such as protecting biodiversity, improving production methods while limiting energy waste, smart consumption and quality management of resources can help reverse the trend.
"If we continue with business as usual, we will reach a situation where two Earths will not be enough. At some point the Earth will give up. We don't know when, but it's very scary to think about it," the New York Daily News quoted Colby Loucks, director of conservation science at - WWF. "The problem is that we don't know when the tipping point will be," Lux said.
Rich countries have an ecological footprint 5 times larger than poor countries due to the higher consumption. Residents of rich countries tend to eat more, especially processed food, drive more often and travel farther, says Lux. And in addition, they also source the resources for this lifestyle from countries where the per capita income is low.
"If we all consume like the average Indonesian, we will use only two-thirds of the Earth's biological resources," the report said. However, if we all utilize the resources used by the average American, it would take four Earths to satisfy the human consumption of natural resources."
According to the report, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Denmark, the USA, Belgium, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Ireland are the ten countries that consume the largest amount of resources per capita.
The report also reveals that the animal population has dropped by an average of 30% since 1970. In the tropical areas that suffer from deforestation and urbanization, the rate reaches 60%.
And on the plus side, supported species such as the panda are enjoying population growth.
Think green - says the World Bank
The World Bank this week published a report urging the governments of the world to think green when they plan growth policies for the coming years under the title "The Little Green Data Book".
The report, which was announced at the Green Growth Conference in Seoul, states that the path to sustainable development develops an analysis of the framework that includes the limitations of the terrestrial and marine atmospheric systems as part of the factors for reducing poverty. The report dispelled the myth that the green growth approach is a luxury that most countries in the world cannot afford and points instead to political barriers, entrenched behavior and a lack of instruments suitable financing.
"There have been impressive achievements in the fields of health and well-being since the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, but too often, progress has been manifested in environmental degradation and resource depletion," says Rachel Kate, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development. "The decisions made today will commit countries to a growth path that may not be stable in the future. It is necessary to take careful steps to ensure that the cities and roads, factories and agricultural farms are planned and supervised in ways that will raise the standard of living but effectively use natural resources, human resources and capital."
For information on the subject on the World Bank website
On the same subject: The biodiversity chapter from the report dealing with Israel's assessments of the effects of global warming
Celebrity species help save other species from extinction as well
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The entire global economy is based on growth, and all growth furthers the inevitable destruction of the planet.
It is better to promote the preservation of the DNA in a Petri dish, of the animals that exist today, as long as it is possible.
Hallelujah.... Better late than never...
The news comes from one of the most important economic bodies in the world
(The green preachers have been off for a long time),
The good news that states that green development is economic and when the calculation is for a long time
Green development is also more worthwhile from a purely economic point of view.
It is hoped that governments to whom the World Bank's call is directed will understand the "hint"
and they will do away with an economic policy that has a "term of service" (tenure),
It is to be hoped that when the World Bank "determines" a position they will join the way as well
Other large and important economic entities,
"And salvation came to our environment" (?)