Latest Statements
New York, 5 June 2012 - Secretary-General's message on World Environment Day
As the world gears up for the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development (Rio+20), World Environment Day is an
opportunity to highlight the need for a paradigm shift towards a more
sustainable world. This year’s theme, “Green Economy: Does it include
you?”, underscores the need for everyone to play their part in keeping
humankind's ecological footprint within planetary boundaries.
The world’s population stands at 7 billion and may rise to more than 9
billion by 2050. This means greater pressure on already crowded cities –
where more than half of all people now live – and on natural resources,
as demand for food, water and energy rises. It also means more people
in search of decent jobs. Globally, 1.3 billion people are currently
unemployed or under-employed. An estimated half billion more will join
the job market over the next decade.
Sustainability entails
providing opportunity for all by balancing the social, economic and
environmental dimensions of development. We have to rebut the myth that
there is conflict between economic and environmental health. With
smart policies and the right investments, countries can protect their
environment, grow their economies, generate decent jobs and accelerate
social progress.
Rio+20 is our opportunity to deepen global
commitment to sustainable development. In Rio, we should agree that
measuring growth and wealth by Gross Domestic Product alone is
inadequate. We should agree that the world needs a set of sustainable
development goals that will build on the Millennium Development Goals.
And we should make progress on some of the building blocks of
sustainability – energy, water, food, cities, oceans, jobs and the
empowerment of women.
Sustainability is gaining prominence
on the public policy agenda in both developed and developing nations.
The UN itself is working towards climate neutrality and sustainable
management of our offices and activities. In Rio, we must mobilize the
partnerships we need to shift the world onto a more sustainable
trajectory of growth and development. On this World Environment Day, in
advance of this historic conference, I urge governments, businesses and
all members of society to make the holistic choices that will ensure a
sustainable future – the future we want.
