EarthOne Brings the Planet Into the Spotlight
AsiaOne has rolled out the new EarthOne section, a playground dedicated to all things environmental. Think of it as a “green” refresh button for readers who are passionate about our planet and the science that protects it.
Why The Planet Should Be on Your Radar Now
Because the UN’s latest report says that pollution is killing more people each year than the COVID‑19 pandemic. Shockingly, wind‑blown pesticides, stubborn plastics, and e‑waste are responsible for approximately 9 million premature deaths globally every year.
By comparison, the pandemic took about 5.9 million lives (as per Worldometre). So next time you hear “new coronavirus stats,” remember that the real villain is the invisible toxic substances that make up our everyday lives.
What The UN Is Saying
David Boyd, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, is sounding the alarm:
- Pollution violates the right to a clean and healthy environment.
- Current measures are too slow and too tame, prompting the UN Human Rights Council to treat a clean planet as a human right.
- He’s calling for an “immediate and ambitious ban” on certain toxic chemicals.
The “Forever Chemicals” and the Call for Action
- Polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are the stars (or villains) of this story. Used in non‑stick pans, cosmetics, etc., they’re linked to cancer and are famously “forever” because they don’t break down.
- We’re being urged to phase them out before they stain the very air we breathe.
Beyond Banning – Fixing the Mess
The report warns that polluted sites, often called “sacrifice zones,” are a grave injustice. Some of these zones—once nuclear testing grounds—have become places where life is simply unfeasible.
To address this, the UN recommends:
- Ongoing clean‑up of contaminated areas.
- In extreme cases, relocating vulnerable communities—particularly the poor, marginalized, and indigenous peoples—away from these environmental hazards.
Heads‑Up From The Human Rights Leader
Michelle Bachelet, UN’s Human Rights chief, has dubbed environmental threats the biggest rights challenge worldwide. A growing number of climate justice cases are using human rights frameworks and are already winning victories.
Get ready: The UN Human Rights Council is slated to review this report next month, and the fight for a cleaner, safer world is just getting started—and it’s not just about policy, it’s about protecting humanity itself.
