The work of nearly 300 multidisciplinary scientists, this landmark report offers an in-depth look at the state of the global environment, exploring everything from the health of coral reefs to the status of the ozone layer. Many of its findings are concerning. But GEO-7 reports that if humanity acts quickly, it can still undo decades of environmental damage and forge a more sustainable future for billions of people.
While many forecasts of the GEO-7 report are dire, its authors say humanity has time to right the environmental ship. But it will take a whole-of-society, whole-of-government effort the likes of which has never been seen before – one that protects the natural world while transforming five interconnected systems.
Pursuing a more environmentally friendly model of development could pay huge dividends for the global economy and the prospects of billions of people. GEO-7 modelling finds the economic benefits in particular start to appear around 2050 and by 2070, could hit US$20 trillion a year.
Oppressive heat. Species extinctions. Pollution-choked skies. This is what awaits humanity in 2050 unless it ends the Earth's environmental decline.
Countries and communities around the world have already started to remake their economies and societies – with big benefits for their people and the environment. But much greater effort is required to deliver solutions that work across all environmental crises at scale.
