News

Erupting volcanoes, earthquakes, dust storms and meteorites smashing into the Earth’s crust are natural phenomena that can cause climate change and air pollution: dinosaurs may have met their end after a giant meteorite kicked up so much dust that it blocked out the sun for decades, reducing photosynthesis and preventing the growth of plants.

The smell of exhaust fumes is unpleasant and unhealthy, and the gases are known for affecting happiness, intelligence and overall human well-being.

Marine biologists will tell you that fish species such as tuna and swordfish, known as the deep-water divers of the ocean for hunting at depths of 200 metres, are today repeatedly coming to surface view.

World Health Day on 7 April is a reminder that effective wastewater management and sanitation systems are vital for human health. The volume of sewage in the world is set to rise in line with population growth. Furthermore, the growth in global wealth means our wastewater, including sewage, contains increasing amounts of dangerous chemicals, toxic substances and the debris associated with modern consumer lifestyles.

Air pollution isn’t a new problem. We’ve been worried about smog for centuries, from the infamous “pea souper” smogs of 19th century London to the hazes that regularly engulf cities from Beijing to Delhi in the present day. What is new, however, is the awareness of exactly how bad it is for our health.

“Sometimes bad things have to happen before the good things start,” says Ali Ghnaim.

An interview with Francesca O'Hanlon, founder of Blue Tap This year’s World Water Day on 22 March celebrates water for all. It is a human right to have access—without discrimination—to sufficient, safe, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use.  

Ahead of global climate strikes on March 15, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke at the 4th UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, calling on the world to act, and fast.  

Fashion today is about obsession with outward image and appearance.

Nairobi, 11 March, 2019 – The global fight against plastic pollution comes into sharp focus at the Fourth UN Environment Assembly this month in Nairobi, Kenya, with the launch of three reports each addressing different aspects of, and solutions for, the growing impact of plastics on the world’s marine environments.

The size of the global chemical industry exceeded US$5 trillion in 2017 and is projected to double by 2030. The benefits of action to minimize the adverse impacts of chemicals have been estimated in the high tens of billions of United States dollars annually. International treaties and voluntary instruments have reduced the risks of some chemicals and wastes, but progress has been uneven and implementation gaps remain.

Getting 193 United Nations Member States to see eye to eye on a range of pressing environmental issues is not easy. While the world is “getting smaller”, and technology is bringing us together as never before, political, cultural and linguistic barriers remain significant.

Smog-wreathed skyscrapers, toxic traffic jams and belching chimney stacks may be the first images that come to mind when discussing air pollution, but new research has lifted the lid on the invisible toxins tainting the air in our homes.

Washington, D.C. 6 March 2019 – UN Environment has teamed up with the nonprofit REVERB to engage music fans to take action for the environment on tours across several countries this year. Harnessing the power of live music and working with artists committed to doing their part to tackle pressing environmental issues, the partnership will encourage individual actions at concerts and beyond.

Leading a sustainable lifestyle can be difficult. Many luxuries are sacrificed for options that are less attractive and easy. That is what Stan discovers when he switches his electric lawnmower for a push-mower, or when he collects rainwater for his plants. Yet, he is determined to reduce his carbon footprint and his family’s use of natural resources.

UN Environment today released its 2018 Annual Report, highlighting the organization’s work on issues from fighting pollution of the air and sea to helping nations meet their goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

We’re excited to welcome our seven 2018 Young Champions of the Earth to Kenya for the Fourth United Nations Environment Assembly. The seven prize winners, powered by Covestro, will join delegates in Nairobi from 11 to 15 March 2019 for a series of high-level meetings and events.

An interview with mountain racer Kílian Jornet Ultra-runner Kílian Jornet has climbed the world’s highest peaks and set records at some of the most demanding sports events on Earth. In this interview with UN Environment, the renowned mountain racer reveals how he takes on such challenges, describes the environmental change he has witnessed and lays out his vision for us to enjoy mountains sustainably.

 With some of the world’s most beautiful beaches paying a heavy price for our plastic addiction, the travel and tourism industry is taking action to reduce its plastic footprint and encourage its customers to do the same.

Berlin, 19 February 2019 – The mining sector, if carefully managed, presents enormous opportunities for advancing sustainable development, particularly in low-income countries, the International Resource Panel says in its latest report. The Panel calls for an international mineral agency – or a global treaty – to address priorities of transformation and economic diversification, along with concerns about security of supply.

For Sasiranga De Silva, the battle to save the planet must begin at home. Dismayed by traffic pollution in his native city of Colombo in Sri Lanka, the 33-year-old engineer and electric-vehicle fanatic set about finding the most effective way of tackling the harmful gases and noise that make life a misery for commuters.

In India, Shiva is the god of destruction. His job is to destroy the universe to re-create it. Every morning, Hindu temple bells ring out across the mist. The sound mingles with chanting, as groups of people gather to offer orange and pink flowers, milk and incense.

Ocean lovers are often left out of the bigger environmental discussions and so struggle to see how they can do their part to stop climate change. But one organization, Sustainable Surf, is committed to changing all that by directly engaging the global surfing community to save and restore threatened mangrove forest ecosystems. Mangroves are five times more effective at sequestering carbon emissions than land-based trees. 

Monish Siripurapu’s air cooling system may be based on the design of a beehive but the Indian innovator’s inspiration did not come while he was striding through fields of flowers. He was actually in a stifling hot factory in New Delhi, where he was doing some design work.

A recent spell of especially soupy air has Bangkok scrambling to disperse dangerous pollutants and protect residents against dire health impacts. The government has reacted quickly, clamping down on heavily polluting vehicles, deploying police and military to inspect factories and incinerators, shutting schools to protect children, and even deploying cloud-seeding planes to force rain and clear the air.