UNEP
Topic Area A: Air pollution and Health
The complex challenge surrounding the issue of air pollution and the effects it has
on the health of the human race has been a moot point ever since the beginnings
of the industrial revolution. Even long before global warming became a significant
issue, those concerned about the environment and public health noted the
damaging effects of human-initiated combustion upon the atmosphere. In time,
various technological efforts have come into effect in developed countries’ as to
impede this modern day epidemic from contaminating the rest of the world.
However, what about the under developed and developing countries that do not
count with the sufficient economic funds specified for such hazardous issues?
Greece is in a position where the particular matter of air pollution is of great
importance due to the magnitude of the environmental and financial impacts.
Greece has supported the European Union as a world leader in environmental
preservation. Its compliance with the Kyoto Protocol, EUETS, and the UNFCCC,
were at the time beneficial and necessary. However, pertaining to this issue, there
is still so much more to be done on a global basis.
Greece is aware that due to an economic downfall, factors contributing to air
pollution have been in a rapid growth in the recent years. Greece has been working
in correlation with the European Union, and it recognizes that it cannot and should
not be acting alone. This requires a collective productive action from all countries
of the world in order to effectively deal with this highly important issue, that can and
will if not regarded, put in danger the human race.
As stated by the UNEP, air pollution is the leading cause of environmentally related
deaths, therefore, the health benefits of removing the sources of contamination to
the air, and the factors that lead to those sources are indisputable to bring it to a
stop. Nevertheless, the problematic climatic effects of continually increasing
emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases pose a major global
environmental challenge, not as yet addressed adequately. Thus, Positive and
productive action in this area would greatly assist not only Greece itself, but the
entire European Union, and eventually the world. As a result of this, Greece
proposes that a new policy that targets reduction of CO2 emissions, increased
usage of renewable energy, and increased energy efficiency specifically be created
provided with adequate funding and technology. It is only through combined efforts
that we, as global citizens, will be able to overcome this modern day epidemic.
UNEP
Topic Area B: Deforestation
Forests impact our daily lives in more ways than we can imagine. From the air we
breathe to the wood we love, human beings are heavily dependent on forests and
the products and services they provide. However, the degradation of forests has
become prevalent especially in the past fifty years, where about half the world’s
original forest cover has been lost. This intensified level of deforestation due to
unsystematic use of its resources is considered problematic because the forest is
unable to regenerate itself quickly. Various efforts have been made pertaining to
this global issue, but, is it being treated as the priority it actually is?
Currently, Greece is in the position where any suitable implementation is welcome;
this is due to the fact that deforestation has not become the priority that it needs to
be. It is not the recent phenomenon that many believe it to be; over the last 200
years, and mostly after World War II, deforestation increased because the logging
industry became a globally profitable endeavor. Actions may have been taken,
such as “The Green Fund” in Greece; but, what is truly needed is a global effort,
this is a man-made dilemma which requires a global solution.
