A United Nations expert has revealed a new report about the devastating effects of pollution. He called for “urgent, ambitious action” to ensure everyone on the planet enjoys a “safe, clean, healthy, sustainable environment.”
“Pollution, toxic substances, and other factors affect the enjoyment or many human rights, including the right to a healthy, clean, and sustainable environment.”
The report states that the world is plagued with unconscionable environmental injustices. This includes’sacrifice Zones’ where communities are exposed extreme levels of pollution and toxic contaminants. Report. “A systemic and transformative change in environmental law is required to enable rights-based detoxification of the planet and people’s bodies.”
The report states that both businesses and states must work together to eliminate toxic substances and zero pollution. They should not be content with reducing, minimizing, or mitigating exposure to these hazards. “Prevention, prevention, and nondiscrimination should be the guiding principles of environmental policymaking.”
The document—which David Boyd, the special rapporteur on human rights and the environment, presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council (HRC)—points out that pollution and toxic substances cause at least nine million premature deaths each year.
Boyd stated that they also increase the risks of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other serious illnesses. They also have adverse effects on the immune and endocrine systems. Birth defects are common, as well as lifelong negative impacts on the neurological development. In a statement
He continued, “Yet, hundreds and millions of tons of toxic chemicals continue to be released into the air, water, soil, and soil every year.” “Pollution, toxic substances, and other pollutants affect the enjoyment many human rights, particularly the right for a clean, healthy, sustainable environment. However, it also affects the rights to life and health, food, housing, and a sufficient standard of living.”
In a “historic” 43-0 vote last year—with just China, India, Japan, and Russia abstaining—the HRC formally recognized the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Boyd and his report highlighted that many communities, especially those who are poor or otherwise marginalized, do not have such an environment.
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He explained that environmental injustice is the disturbing phenomenon of being more affected by pollution. It is very distressing to see clusters of the most polluting, hazardous facilities, such open-pit mines.
The report lists over 60 “sacrifice zones” around the world, including oil pollution in Niger Delta, intense smog and New Delhi, and mining and smelting of Norilsk in Russia. There are also refineries and petrochemical facilities in Louisiana’s Cancer Alley.
Boyd stated that while it was encouraging to see good practices in preventing future environmental injustices as well as remediating some sacrifice areas, many disturbing situations and related violations of human rights remain unaddressed.
The October HRC resolution “should mark a turning moment in society’s attitude to pollution and toxic substances,” the expert stated. “The creation and maintenance of sacrifice zones must be stopped. It is imperative that urgent action be taken to prevent, remediate, and provide medical care in such zones.
In InterviewWith The GuardianBoyd urged governments to enforce strict regulations on corporate polluters and end the estimated $1.8 trillion worth of subsidies for harmful industries.
He stated that fossil fuel companies are not going “to voluntarily stop producing oil or gas; big coal firms are not going to voluntarily switch from being large coal companies to big solar and wind corporations.” “Governments must do that. That’s their job. It is governments that have the responsibility to respect, protect and fulfill our human rights.”
Boyd stated in his statement that a human rights-based approach to preventing the exposure to polluting chemicals and toxic chemicals could save millions, improve the quality life for billions, and save trillions.
“Achieving a healthy environment is a human right obligation,” he stated.
