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UN: Humanity needs a great green revolution
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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Humanity needs a great green technological revolution to avoid the catastrophic consequences of climate change and environmental degradation. This is stated in the "World Economic and Social Survey 2011", which was presented to delegates at the session of the UN Economic and Social Council in Geneva.
The study's authors argue that without a technological revolution comparable to the first industrial revolution, the world will not be able to end poverty and hunger, the UN News Centre reports. The experts call for major investments in clean energy technologies, sustainable agriculture and forestry practices, climate-resilient infrastructure and technologies to make waste more biodegradable.
Presenting the report, UN Deputy Chief Sha Zukang recalled that by 2050 the world's population will increase by two billion people who will need access to energy and food. He said that it is necessary to accelerate the development and use of energy technologies that are sustainable.
This means producing more energy-efficient cars, computers, heating and other equipment that runs on clean energy. Given the pace of climate change, Sha Zukang says there is not much time left to make this transformation – only three or four decades.