The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the escalating global waste crisis. In the past year alone, the world generated 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal waste, and this figure is projected to increase by two-thirds to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) highlighted that regions still relying on open dumping and burning will see the most significant growth in waste. These practices not only emit harmful greenhouse gases but also leach toxic chemicals into soils, waterways, and the air, exacerbating environmental and health issues.
Without immediate intervention, the economic burden of poor waste management is expected to nearly double. The 'hidden costs' related to pollution, health problems, and climate change are projected to reach approximately $640 billion annually by 2050, up from $361 billion in 2020.
\"Waste generation is intrinsically tied to GDP, and many fast-growing economies are struggling under the burden of rapid waste growth,\" said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen. She emphasized that the report aims to assist governments in building more sustainable societies and ensuring a livable planet for future generations.
The report, a collaboration between UNEP and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), was unveiled at the UN's Environment Assembly in Nairobi. It follows a 2018 World Bank report, which had estimated global waste generation to reach 3.4 billion tonnes annually by 2050.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
