Close to one-fifth of the burden of disease in developing, countries can be attributed to environmental risks. Much of this falls on our children, as about two-fifths of infant mortality is associated with environmental factors. Looking closer at the major environmental risks, about 1.7 million premature deaths are attributable to unsafe water, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene. As many as one-third of these occur in Africa. Urban air pollution is estimated to result in about 800,000 premature deaths annually, and many developing countries are rapidly urbanizing. But most poor people still live in rural areas, where traditional fuels from biomass and coal are the main sources of energy. Indoor air pollution from solid fuels is estimated to inflict an even greater burden of disease than outdoor air pollution does. Against this backdrop, Environment Matters focuses this year on the strong links between environment and health. There is also a direct connection to economic growth: without a healthy, productive labor force, we will not have the economic growth that is necessary to ensure a pathway out of poverty.
There is emerging evidence that climate change is also contributing to the burden of disease in poor countries: more frequent and intense droughts and floods; extension of habitats for disease vectors (spreading malaria and dengue fever, for example); expanding areas where plants and livestock are impacted by pests and pathogens; lower yields of some agricultural crops (in turn impacting nutrition); Salinization of coastal areas, including freshwater supplies resulting from sea level rise; and so on. In 2000, more than 150,000 premature deaths were attributed to various climate change impacts, according to the World Health Organization.
Behind the statistics are scores of human tragedies. Young lives are cut short, and productive lives are hampered by frequent and often painful disease. These are daunting challenges, but Environment Matters provides many inspiring examples of ways we can successfully meet them. Achieving substantive progress in delivering clean water, improved sanitation, cleaner air, and a safer environment to millions of poor people will be the result of concerted efforts involving governments, communities, civil society organizations, the private sector, and donors.
It is time for action. The World’s political leaders have reaffirmed their collective commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Further, the July 2005 summit of the G-8 countries heightened the industrialized countries support to environmentally sustainable development for the benefit of the World’s poor. These events, together with the warming signals raised by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, have contributed to raise international awareness and to strengthen the global commitment to foster a healthy environment for this and future generations.
Ian Johnson, Vice president
Environmentally and socially sustainable Development
Courtesy – Environment Matters 2005