During the 20th edition of the World Economic Forum, known as the Davos Forum, the Global Risks Report was presented, offering a worrying view of the world panorama, highlighting a context marked by geopolitical, social, technological crises, and especially global environmental threats.
The international organization based in Cologny, Switzerland, gathers business leaders, politicians, journalists, experts, and intellectuals every year to address the most urgent challenges on the planet. On this occasion, the report identifies the main risks for the next decade.
Among these risks, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, ecosystem collapse, critical changes in land systems, and scarcity of natural resources stand out.
Furthermore, the report explains that these risks are not theoretical, as millions of people are already facing their effects daily. The climate crisis and nature degradation are altering fundamental ecosystems and affecting livelihoods, while temperatures reach record levels. Natural systems are reaching a critical point, and time to avoid irreversible consequences is running out.
## The Next Five Years: A Window of Opportunity
By 2030, systemic transformations in food and energy production and consumption must be implemented, along with a massive mobilization of financial resources. It will also be essential to intensify conservation and restoration efforts for nature to reverse its decline.
The Living Planet Report 2024 highlights the risks of reaching points of no return for ecosystem health. Alarmingly, the average size of wildlife populations decreased by 73% in just 50 years.
## Commitments and Pending Actions to Address Environmental Threats
Globally, ambitious objectives have been established, such as:
– Stop biodiversity loss (World Biodiversity Framework).
– Limit global temperature increase to 1.5 °C (Paris Agreement).
– Eradicate poverty (UN Sustainable Development Goals).
However, national commitments and concrete actions fall far below what is needed to achieve these goals by 2030 and avoid dangerous tipping points.
The planet still has an opportunity to build a safer and more sustainable future. The solutions, technologies, and agreements exist; now, the priority is their implementation. Collective participation and decisive action are essential to face these challenges.
## What Are the Main Environmental Threats to the Planet?
The main environmental threats are:
– **Pollution:** Air, soil, and water pollution.
– **Climate Change:** Climate change and associated weather phenomena.
– **Natural Disasters:** Natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, forest fires, droughts, earthquakes, snow and ice storms, and tornadoes.
– **Overexploitation:** Overexploitation of populations and overharvesting.
– **Introduction of Exotic Species:** Introduction of exotic species and illegal trafficking of species.
– **Erosion:** Wind and water erosion caused by overgrazing, forest exploitation, agriculture, roads and trails, and urban development.
– **Plastic Use:** Plastic consumption polluting seas, rivers, and mangroves.
– **Digital Waste:** Digital waste generated by electronic devices once they reach the end of their useful life.
To reduce the impact of environmental threats, the three Rs rules can be applied: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
**[Subscribe to our YouTube channel!](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrYLIWysAyv4m833zGAQ02g)**
