OECD Forum 2015: The Planet in Figures

 

It's in the air...

Air pollution is now the biggest environmental cause of premature death, overtaking poor sanitation and a lack of clean drinking water. Outdoor air pollution – caused by road traffic, industry and power generation, among other sources – now kills close to 3.4 million people a year globally.

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The impact of human activity is also evident in emissions of  greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, which are implicated in climate change. 

 

Greater use of renewable energy sources will help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Use of renewables is growing but still accounted for only about 8.5% of energy generation in OECD countries in 2012.

 

 

Water use varies widely among OECD countries but is up almost everywhere since the 1970s. Globally, it’s estimated that over the last century water demand rose at double the rate of population growth.

 

 

And water demand will go rising. It’s projected to increase by around 55% by 2050, with manufacturing, electricity and domestic use accounting for much of this extra demand. How can we satisfy future water needs? Infrastructure investment, innovation and efficiency in extracting, conserving and distributing water will be priorities.

 

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In the run up to the COP 21 negotiations in Paris, the future of the planet will be at the heart of the OECD Forum 2015: Investing in the Future: People, Planet, Prosperity. Come share your views at the OECD Conference Centre, Paris, France, on 2-3 June.