Fishstocks are depleted devastatingly fast. There is mounting evidence of climate change. And all kinds of biological species, on land and under water, are threatened - in many instances, with extinction. We need to lift our sights to more distant horizons. Political cycles are notoriously short.
Economic methodologies tend to discount anything older than five years.
And financial markets adjust in fractions of a second. None of this promotes the kind of long-term thinking that is needed for sustainable development. We also need greater international dialogue and cooperation. This is where we will all benefit from a strong UNEP energetically engaged in assessing trends, harmonizing environmental standards and bringing the international community together. The momentum created by technological advances, the demands of public opinion and a new sense of government and corporate responsibility for the health of the planet provide an opportunity for UNEP to champion new approaches to dealing with pollution and conserving natural resources.