Wildfires are increasing in severity and frequency, urban noise pollution has become a global health threat, and phenological mismatches that disrupt the timing of natural life-cycle stages are causing ecological consequences. These environmental issues are urgently needed and highlighted in the UN Environment Programme’s new Frontiers Report (published today).UNEP).
This is the fourth edition the Frontiers Report. It was first published in 2016 and aimed to alert the public to the increasing risk of terrorism. Zoonotic diseasesIt was four years ago, just before the outbreak of the Pandemic COVID-19.
Inger Andersen is the Executive Director of UNEP. The Frontiers Report identifies, and offers solutions to, three environmental issues that deserve attention and action from governments, and the general public, she said. The three subjects of the Frontiers report, which include urban noise pollution, wildfires and changes in phenology, are all issues that highlight the urgency to address the triple global crisis of pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
The Frontiers report is now available in its latest edition. Noise, Blazes, and Mismatches: Emerging Environmental Concerns, is released days prior to the UN Environment Assembly’s resumption of its fifth session (UNEA):
Noise pollution in cities is a growing threat to public health
Unwanted, long-lasting, and high-level sounds emitted by road traffic, railways, and leisure activities Human health and well-being can be affected. This includes chronic annoyance. sleep disturbance, which can lead to severe Heart diseaseand metabolic disorders such a Diabetes, hearing impairment, or poorer mental health.
Noise pollution is already a major cause of 12,000 premature deaths in the EU each year. one in five EU citizens. Many cities around the world have noise levels that exceed acceptable levels, including Algiers and Bangkok, Damascus and Dhaka, Dhaka, Ho Chi Minh City Ibadan (Ho Chi Minh City Ibadan), Islamabad, New York, and Damascus.
Especially affected are The very young and the elderlyCommunities that are marginalized NearHigh traffic roads and industrial zones Far from green spaces.
It is also Animals are at riskChanging communication and behavior of various species, such as humans, can be done. Birds, Insects, Amphibians.
However, natural soundsMany health benefits can be derived from urban planning. Urban planners ShouldPrioritize noise reduction at the source; investments into alternative mobility; and urban infrastructure that creates a positive soundscape such as tree belts and green walls, green roofs and more green spaces within cities.
London is one of the positive examples Zone with Ultra-Low EmissionsBerlins New cycle lanes for wide roadsEgypts, and. National plan to reduce noise.
COVID-19 lockdowns introduced a new appreciationFor green spaces and the reduction in urban traffic noise. Programs that help to build back better are under-utilized opportunityPolicymakers, urban planners, communities can create additional green spaces to benefit all.
Wildfire weather that can cause serious harm is expected to worsen
Every yearBetween 2002 and 2016, an average 423 million hectares (4.23 million square kilometers) of the Earth’s land surface were burned. This is an area roughly equal to the entire European Union. These fires are more common in mixed forest or savannah ecosystems. The African continent accounted for 67% of all fires worldwide, including wildfires.
DangerousWildfire weather conditions are Projectedto be more frequent, intense, and last longer IncludesThese areas were not previously affected by fires. Extremely intense wildfires may cause thunderstorms in smoke flumes, which can aggravate fires by erratic winds speeds and generate lightningIt can also ignite other fires, creating a dangerous feedback loop.
Climate change is responsible for this. This includes hotter temperatures and drier environments with more frequent. Drought. Land-use change is another risk factor. It includes commercial logging and deforestation of farms, grazing and expanding cities. Another factor contributing to wildfires’ growth is aggressive suppression of natural fire. This is essential in certain natural systems to limit the amount combustible materials. However, fire management policies that ignore traditional fire management practices and indigenous wisdom are also factors.
The long-term effects of these factors on human health go beyond the immediate. Fighting wildfires, evacuated, or suffering losses. Downwind settlements are often affected by smoke and particulate matter from wildfires. Many thousands of kilometers from the sourceThis can have a devastating impact on people with pre-existing conditions, children, elderly, and the poor. Changes to fire regimes could also lead to massive biodiversity loss that could endanger over 80% of the world’s species. 4,400 species of freshwater and terrestrial plants.
Wildfires can produce black carbon and other pollutants, which can pollute water sources and increase the melting of glaciers. They also cause landslides in oceans and large-scale algal blooms.
The report calls for more investment in reducing wildfire risks; the development of prevention-and response management strategies that include vulnerable, rural and traditional communities; and further refinements to remote sensing capabilities such as radar, satellites, and lightning detection.
Climate change can disrupt the natural rhythms of animals and plants.
Phenology is the timing and response of interacting species to changing environmental conditions. Temperature, day-length, rainfall and temperature are used by animals and plants in terrestrial, marine, and aquatic ecosystems to determine when they should unfold leaf, flower and bear fruit, breed and pollinate, migrate, or transform in other ways.
Phenological changes occur when species change the timing of their life cycle stages in response changing environmental conditions. Interacting species in an ecosystem may not shift the timing at the same rate or in the same direction as one another.
Climate change is causing these phenological shifts to be more disturbed. Plants Animalsout of tune with their natural rhythms, leading to mismatches such as when plants move through life stages more quickly than herbivores.
The most vulnerable to phenological shifts are long-distance migrant. Local climatic cues which used to trigger migration may not be accurate in predicting conditions at destination and resting points along the route.
Phenological shifts in cropsIt will be difficult to produce food in climate change-related seasonal variations. Shifts in The phenology and economic importance of marine speciesStock and fisheries productivity are affected by the actions of their prey.
It is necessary to fully understand the consequences of phenological mismatches Further research. Maintaining habitats that are suitable Ecological connectivity, strengthening the integrity and diversity of biological diversity, and coordinating international efforts Along migratory routesImportant conservation goals include supporting resilience, maintaining genetic variation within species, and ensuring that they are protected. Limiting the rate at which we warm our planet by reducing CO is the most important conservation goal.2It is vital to reduce emissions.
