UN Warns of Global Collapse Without Urgent Shift in Food and Energy Systems
A major UN Global Environment Outlook (GEO) assessment reveals that unsustainable food and fossil fuel production is generating $5 billion in environmental damage every hour, pushing the world toward irreversible collapse unless urgent systemic reforms are made. The 1,100-page report, written by 200 international experts for the UN Environment Programme, warns that environmental degradation can no longer be viewed separately from economic, health, and security challenges.
According to co-chair Prof Robert Watson, the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution are “undermining our economy, food security, water security, and national security,” with impacts worsening as global demand for food and energy rises. The report argues that a sustainable future is achievable but requires strong political will and rapid transformation across governance, finance, and industry.
Co-chair Prof Edgar Gutiérrez-Espeleta urged governments to act at the speed “history demands,” noting that the window for effective action is “rapidly narrowing.” However, geopolitical tensions and resistance from countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, Turkey, and Argentina blocked agreement on the usual policy summary, particularly regarding references to fossil fuels, plastics, and reduced meat consumption.
The GEO report stresses that the cost of action is far lower than the cost of inaction, projecting that climate solutions alone could yield $20 trillion annually by 2070 and $100 trillion by 2100. It highlights massive environmental externalities—around $45 trillion annually—stemming from fossil fuels and industrial agriculture. Food systems account for $20 trillion, transport $13 trillion, and fossil-fuel electricity $12 trillion.
Experts say these external costs must be integrated into food and energy prices to reflect their true impact. Measures such as universal basic income, meat taxes, and subsidies for plant-based foods are proposed to protect vulnerable communities during the transition. The report also underscores the need to eliminate $1.5 trillion in harmful subsidies to fossil fuels, agriculture, and mining.
Wind and solar energy are now cheaper in many regions, but adoption remains slowed by powerful fossil-fuel interests. Watson warned that climate change impacts may be underestimated and likely fall at the high end of scientific projections. Eliminating fossil fuel subsidies alone could reduce global emissions by one-third, the GEO report says.
The report concludes that environmental policy must become the core of national security and economic planning, emphasizing that only decisive and rapid action can prevent global systems from approaching the point of no return.
UN GEO Report Warns Food and Fossil Fuel Production Cause $5bn in Environmental Damage Every Hour
A major UN Global Environment Outlook (GEO) assessment reveals that unsustainable food and fossil fuel production is generating $5 billion in environmental damage every hour, pushing the world toward irreversible collapse unless urgent systemic reforms are made. The 1,100-page report, written by 200 international experts for the UN Environment Programme, warns that environmental degradation can no longer be viewed separately from economic, health, and security challenges.
According to co-chair Prof Robert Watson, the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution are “undermining our economy, food security, water security, and national security,” with impacts worsening as global demand for food and energy rises. The report argues that a sustainable future is achievable but requires strong political will and rapid transformation across governance, finance, and industry.
Co-chair Prof Edgar Gutiérrez-Espeleta urged governments to act at the speed “history demands,” noting that the window for effective action is “rapidly narrowing.” However, geopolitical tensions and resistance from countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, Turkey, and Argentina blocked agreement on the usual policy summary, particularly regarding references to fossil fuels, plastics, and reduced meat consumption.
The GEO report stresses that the cost of action is far lower than the cost of inaction, projecting that climate solutions alone could yield $20 trillion annually by 2070 and $100 trillion by 2100. It highlights massive environmental externalities—around $45 trillion annually—stemming from fossil fuels and industrial agriculture. Food systems account for $20 trillion, transport $13 trillion, and fossil-fuel electricity $12 trillion.
Experts say these external costs must be integrated into food and energy prices to reflect their true impact. Measures such as universal basic income, meat taxes, and subsidies for plant-based foods are proposed to protect vulnerable communities during the transition. The report also underscores the need to eliminate $1.5 trillion in harmful subsidies to fossil fuels, agriculture, and mining.
Wind and solar energy are now cheaper in many regions, but adoption remains slowed by powerful fossil-fuel interests. Watson warned that climate change impacts may be underestimated and likely fall at the high end of scientific projections. Eliminating fossil fuel subsidies alone could reduce global emissions by one-third, the GEO report says.
The report concludes that environmental policy must become the core of national security and economic planning, emphasizing that only decisive and rapid action can prevent global systems from approaching the point of no return.
Source: the Guardian
