The Frontiers ReportThis report identifies three environmental issues and offers solutions. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen.
Our #Frontiers2022Report highlights emerging problems for people and planet.
It identifies
urban noise pollution
Phenological shifts
+
Wildfires
as areas that require urgent attention, and offers solutions to address them. https://t.co/PnBm1pzu5F pic.twitter.com/843z95yzoIUN Environment Programme (@UNEP) February 17, 2022
Noise, Blazes, and Mismatches: Emerging Environmental ConcernsThe sixth report, “The sixth report”, focuses attention on emerging environmental issues that could cause havoc in the region or globally if they are not addressed quickly.
Natural life cycles are disrupted
The UN Environment Assembly released the latest report days before it was scheduled to be published (UNEA) resumes, spotlights growing public health threats that are disrupting natural life cycles and having profound ecological consequences worldwide.
Ms. Andersen said that urban noise pollution, wildfires, and phenological shifts are three of the topics in this Frontiers Report. These issues highlight the urgency of addressing the triple planetary crisis of pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
Noise pollution: A raucous killer
According to the report, unwelcome, high-level, and prolonged sounds from railways, road traffic, and leisure activities can adversely affect human health, well-being, and other aspects of our lives.
Chronic annoyance or sleep disturbance caused traffic can lead to serious heart diseases and metabolic problems in the very young. It is most common in the elderly and marginalized areas near busy roads.
Noise pollution also poses a threat to animals as it alters the communication and behaviour of many species, including birds, amphibians, and insects..
The report encourages urban planners prioritize noise reduction through investing in urban infrastructure to create positive soundscapes such a tree belt, green walls and more green space in cities that also offer numerous health benefits.
Positive examples include London’s Ultra-Low Emission Zone, Berlin’s new cycle lanes on large roads, and Egypt’s national plan for noise reduction. These are all positive examples that can be used as the world recovers from COVID.
Plant and animal rhythms
Phenology refers to the timing of recurring life cycles, driven by environmental forces and how species interact within an ecosystem, react to changing conditions.
In terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems, animals and plants use temperature, day length, and rainfall to determine when they should bear fruit, migrate, or transform.
Climate change, however, disrupts these natural rhythms. Plants and animals are being pushed to the side of their natural rhythms. This causes mismatches like when plants shift lifecycle stages faster than herbivores.
In the meantime, local climatic cues for birds that trigger migration may not accurately predict conditions at their destination or resting spots along the route.
In crops, phenological shifts can lead to food production problems.
The report highlights the importance of conservation goalsThese include maintaining suitable habitats and ecological connectivity, strengthening biological diversity, and coordinating international efforts along migratory routes.
It is important to reduce CO2 emissions in order to limit global warming.
Stem wildfires
The report stated that between 2002-2016, an average of 423,000,000 hectares of Earth’s surface burned. This suggests that wildfires that are dangerous will become more frequent, intense, and longer lasting, even in areas that were not previously affected by fires.
Climate change can cause extreme wildfires. This can generate lightning that can ignite others fires.
Long-term health effects extend beyond those who fight wildfires, evacuated people, or lost their homes.
However, Black carbon and other pollutants from wildfires can contaminate water supplies, accelerate glacier melt, trigger landlides, and transform rainforests into carbon sinks..
This report recommends that more investment be made in reducing wildfire risk, developing prevention and response management strategies, and refinancing remote sensing capabilities such as radar and satellites.
Unsplash/Mikhail SerdyukovClimate Change increases the likelihood of hot, dry weather which is likely to fuel wildfires.
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