For the UN, pollution will cause "millions of premature deaths" by 2050

Pollution will continue to cause "millions of premature deaths" in the world up to 2050, especially in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, if environmental protection is not accelerated, according to the Report on the Environment ( GEO) presented this Wednesday in Nairobi.

Currently, the Pollution of the air is the cause of between 6 and 7 million dead premature, a phenomenon that should continue and kill between 4.5 and 7 million people each year until mid-century. According to the UN, one in four deaths premature diseases around the world are related to the pollution.

In addition, the appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, caused inter alia by pollutants discharged into the water and the mbadive use of antibiotics in food production, will be in 2050 the first cause of death in the world.

The "endocrine disruptors", present in many chemicals that affect the endocrine system, also will change fertility men and women and the neurological development minors.

This report, called Global Environment Outlook (GEO), which was attended by 250 scientists from 70 countries, for six years, also highlights a widening gap between rich and poor countries: Overconsumption, pollution and food waste in the north to precipitate famine, poverty and disease in the south.

This document explains that taking action to mitigate the effects of climate change would cost $ 22 trillionbut the health benefits could involve $ 54 trillion benefits.

Without a reorganization of the global economy Towards more sustainable production, the concept of growth may not make sense in terms of deaths and the cost of health treatments, according to the authors.

"The central message is that a healthy planet contributes not only to global growth, but also to the poorest, who depend on clean air and pure water," Joyeeta said. Gupta, co-chair of GEO.

Experts stress that developing common policies to combat climate effects has more benefits than individual measures. The report stresses, however, that the situation is not irremediable and reduce CO2 emissions and the use of pesticides.

"Urgent actions of an unprecedented scale are needed to stop and reverse the situation," says the summary that accompanies the report.

We must reduce food waste: the world throws a third of the food produced (56% in the richest countries), hence the need for a change of development model and lifestyles.

"In 2050 will have to feed 10 billion people, but that does not mean we should double production, "insisted Gupta, advocating, for example reduce consumption of livestock and meat.

Experts also recommend investing in rural development plans reduce migration to cities, where more than 70% of the population will live by 2050.

Some 8 million tons of plastic are thrown into the oceans each year, a fact that has caught the attention of the world in recent years, but there is still no comprehensive agreement to help end it.