ADDITIONAL FACTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS
-
Should the global population reach 9.6 billion by 2050, the equivalent of almost three planets could be required to provide the natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles.
Water
-
Less than 3 per cent of the world’s water is fresh (drinkable), of which 2.5 per cent is frozen in the Antarctica, Arctic and glaciers. Humanity must therefore rely on 0.5 per cent for all of man’s ecosystem’s and fresh water needs.
-
Man is polluting water faster than nature can recycle and purify water in rivers and lakes.
-
More than 1 billion people still do not have access to fresh water.
Energy
-
If people worldwide switched to energy efficient lightbulbs, the world would save US$120 billion annually.
-
The share of renewable energy in final energy consumption has reached 17.5% in 2015.
Food
-
While substantial environmental impacts from food occur in the production phase (agriculture, food processing), households influence these impacts through their dietary choices and habits. This consequently affects the environment through food-related energy consumption and waste generation.
-
2 billion people globally are overweight or obese.