This is the key message of OECD's Environmental Outlook , a pioneering 20-year projection of OECD environmental problems that identifies realistic priorities for addressing the main challenges. Journalists are invited to a news conference to launch the OECD Environmental Outlook at 11 a.m. Thursday 5 April 2001. Joke Waller-Hunter, the OECD Environment Director, will make a short statement and respond to journalists' questions. There will also be videoconferences with OECD Centres in Tokyo, Berlin, Washington, and Mexico City . Based on the findings, the most critical environmental concerns facing OECD countries are the unsustainable use of renewable natural resources, the degradation of ecosystems and the disruption of the environmental systems that support human life.
Tropical deforestation continues at alarming rates.
Human-induced climate change already affects weather patterns worldwide. This will worsen as OECD CO 2 emissions increase by a projected one-third to 2020. Urban air quality and associated health problems are deteriorating in many OECD countries. Energy use and transportation are already the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Municipal waste generation is expected to increase substantially in OECD countries to 2020.