UN warns 21st century environmental challenges

The United Nations on February 13 affirmed that the deteriorating soil condition and increasing number of nuclear reactors are the most urgent environmental problems today.

The 2012 Yearbook of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) shows that in the last 25 years, the production capacity of 24% of global land area has decreased due to unsustainable land use.

Some concentrated agricultural activities have caused soil erosion 100 times faster than the natural regeneration rate.

The UNEP 2012 Yearbook also warns that if not changing the way of management, forests, peatlands, grasslands and biodiversity will continue to disappear.

In addition, soil erosion will affect climate change because a large amount of carbon is stored in the soil in the form of organic materials that will spread into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. bridge.

In addition to soil erosion, UNEP 2012 Yearbook also emphasizes that more and more nuclear reactors must be closed due to the life of the original design.

By January 2012, there were 138 civilian nuclear power reactors ceasing operations in 19 countries, including 28 in the US, 27 in the UK, 27 in Germany, 12 in France, 9 in Japan. and 5 in the Russian Federation.

However, only 17 furnaces have been closed so far. UNEP Executive Director, Mr. Achim Steiner commented that the 2012 Yearbook draws attention to two emerging issues, emphasizing challenges but also offering options for countries to consider having a 21st century. sustainable - urgently improving land management and the closure of nuclear power reactors.