Four infographics to help you understand the state of the planet
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UNCCD Library
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Web resource
Many wealthy nations have developed a throwaway culture where everything from fast-fashion clothing to household white goods are disposed of.
UN-Habitat says 99% of the items we purchase are thrown away within six months. It all adds up to 2 billion tonnes of waste produced globally each year, according to the World Bank.
The chart above shows how a 'circular economy' with new manufacturing processes would reduce waste and increase sustainability.
It shows how value-retention processes at the heart of production systems would prioritize reuse, repair, refurbish and remanufacture. The modelling shows this could reduce the use of raw materials by 80 - 99% and cut the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions by 79 - 99%. At the same time, such a change would reduce costs, stimulate innovation and create green jobs.A growing population means we all need to change the way we live, work and travel.
The food we eat and the way it’s made can reduce our impact on the planet.
Most of us will live in smart cities by 2050 - but how can we make them sustainable?
These infographics from UNEP can help us understand the scale of what we face and point to solutions.
The sheer number of people relying on the Earth’s resources to survive and thrive is putting unsustainable pressure on the planet.
The global population will reach eight billion people by 2025, according to the statisticians at Worldometer. By 2050 there will be almost 10 billion people to house, feed and clothe.
But almost every decision we make can help to reduce our impact on the planet. Where we live, how we travel and what we eat all make a difference.
These infographics from the International Resource Panel (a program launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and one that is connected to the Sustainable Development Goals) show the scale of the situation - and how we can rethink the way we live to sustain all life on our planet.
As we reach the middle of the century, 66% of the world population will be living in cities.
Much of the transition from rural to urban living will happen in Asia and Africa, where many cities are already overcrowded, clogged with traffic and heavily polluted. Existing cities will need to be expanded and new ones built, according to the UNEP.
But simply expanding and building more of what we already have won’t solve the problems many cities face. A focus on ‘smart cities’ will be required.
A 2020 report from the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cities and Urbanization analyzes 25 case studies. These urban centres are already moving ahead with initiatives to create the cities of the future.
The report says: “Cities are increasingly implementing projects with smart solutions in waste management, traffic congestion, citizen safety, affordable housing, water resource management, smart buildings, efficient use of energy, renewable energy resources, facilitating navigation of autonomous vehicles, citizen participation and stakeholder consultation, to name a few.” READ more from the source
UN-Habitat says 99% of the items we purchase are thrown away within six months. It all adds up to 2 billion tonnes of waste produced globally each year, according to the World Bank.
The chart above shows how a 'circular economy' with new manufacturing processes would reduce waste and increase sustainability.
It shows how value-retention processes at the heart of production systems would prioritize reuse, repair, refurbish and remanufacture. The modelling shows this could reduce the use of raw materials by 80 - 99% and cut the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions by 79 - 99%. At the same time, such a change would reduce costs, stimulate innovation and create green jobs.A growing population means we all need to change the way we live, work and travel.
The food we eat and the way it’s made can reduce our impact on the planet.
Most of us will live in smart cities by 2050 - but how can we make them sustainable?
These infographics from UNEP can help us understand the scale of what we face and point to solutions.
The sheer number of people relying on the Earth’s resources to survive and thrive is putting unsustainable pressure on the planet.
The global population will reach eight billion people by 2025, according to the statisticians at Worldometer. By 2050 there will be almost 10 billion people to house, feed and clothe.
But almost every decision we make can help to reduce our impact on the planet. Where we live, how we travel and what we eat all make a difference.
These infographics from the International Resource Panel (a program launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and one that is connected to the Sustainable Development Goals) show the scale of the situation - and how we can rethink the way we live to sustain all life on our planet.
As we reach the middle of the century, 66% of the world population will be living in cities.
Much of the transition from rural to urban living will happen in Asia and Africa, where many cities are already overcrowded, clogged with traffic and heavily polluted. Existing cities will need to be expanded and new ones built, according to the UNEP.
But simply expanding and building more of what we already have won’t solve the problems many cities face. A focus on ‘smart cities’ will be required.
A 2020 report from the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cities and Urbanization analyzes 25 case studies. These urban centres are already moving ahead with initiatives to create the cities of the future.
The report says: “Cities are increasingly implementing projects with smart solutions in waste management, traffic congestion, citizen safety, affordable housing, water resource management, smart buildings, efficient use of energy, renewable energy resources, facilitating navigation of autonomous vehicles, citizen participation and stakeholder consultation, to name a few.” READ more from the source
Keywords
infographics
SDGs targets
climate change
urbanization
consumption
facts and figures
circular economy
fashion industry