In a historic move, on July 28, 2022, the UN passed a resolution at its headquarters in New York City declaring that everyone on the planet has a right to live in a “clean, healthy and sustainable environment”. The resolution is not legally binding but historically they are known to provide a foundation to formulate effective laws and policies. The declaration calls upon the member States, international organizations, and business enterprises to scale up their effort to provide access to a healthy environment. Advocates say this will act as a catalyst to empower ordinary people to hold their governments and private companies accountable.
“This resolution sends a message that nobody can take nature, clean air and water, or a stable climate away from us – at least, not without a fight,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). She mentioned that the world is grappling with a triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution which could have catastrophic effects if left unchecked.
The effects of climate change are visible through wildfires, droughts, rising sea levels, storms, flooding, and various other climate events as they intensify in recent years. This is the time to accelerate and act collectively to make this right a reality.
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