"The world must either move environmental protection to the top of its agenda now or suffer dire consequences, according to a United Nations report issued today.

The latest update to the Global Environment Outlook warned that land and water degradation, resource depletion, and climate change are already claiming lives and reducing global biodiversity.

Population growth, urbanization and unsustainable development are likely to exacerbate these problems, with the results falling unevenly on poor regions of the planet, underprivileged populations and women.

"Urgent action at an unprecedented scale is necessary to arrest and reverse this situation, thereby protecting human and environmental health and maintaining the current and future integrity of global ecosystems," stated the report's summary for policymakers."

Jean Chemnick reports for Greenwire March 13, 2019. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Quarter of All Deaths Worldwide Linked To Environmental Damage And Pollution, UN Says" (Independent) [3]