Thursday, April 06, 2006

[UN] Poverty in Mediterranian may rise in next two decades

from New Kerala

Dharam Shourie,

Poverty in the Mediterranean countries may increase in next two decades and the 63 million populace will face acute water shortage and desertification of the region unless they take steps for sustainable development, a new report said.

The 400-page study, commissioned by 21 nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea, calls for a new regional agreement containing stronger measures, greater private and public financing to reduce pollution, the development of better demand-management and local sustainable-development policies, and renewed efforts to mobilize all stakeholders for policies integrating environment and development.

'A Sustainable Future for the Mediterranean: the Blue Plan's Environment & Development Outlook' was written by 300 experts assembled under the auspices of the UN Environment Programme's Athens-based Mediterranean Action Plan.

Many of the pessimistic prediction of the study under taken in 1989 have come true, the report released yesterday said.

The effects of current trends over the next 20 years include a rise in population to 524 million from 427 million, with that of coastal cities rising from 20 million to 90 million. Besides, it estimates that 312 million tourists will visit coastal areas every year against 175 million in 2000.

"Tough decisions and trade-offs will have to be made if the Mediterranean is to preserve the natural beauty and quality of life that have made it one of the world's most attractive locations," the report's vice-president, former Tunisian Environment Minister Mohamed Ennabli said.

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