The latest release of the Global Environmental Outlook assessment reports, GEO-4, by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights the importance of mainstreaming environmental concerns into socio-economic sectors and recommends moving environment from the periphery to the core of decision-making. This transformation is necessary if countries are serious about tackling climate change in a proactive and concerted manner.
The warning comes from an extensive document prepared by almost 390 experts and reviewed by over 1000 others worldwide. It assesses the state of the atmosphere, land, water and biodiversity and has identified priorities for action. It is the most comprehensive report of its kind and includes all 7 regions of the globe. It is the first report where all global regions have identified climate change as a major priority.
The Polar region section was compiled by 10-15 contributors worldwide, encompassing perspectives from a range of geographical regions resulting in a significant consideration of global linkages in terms of environmental change.
· Increasing mercury and persistent organic pollutants in the environment;
· Ozone layer degradation.
These developments have increased the risk to the indigenous people’s health and food security.