Cameroon, UN Cameroon
Key Finding
4
Looking to the future: the overwhelming concern is the climate crisis and our natural environment.
1st
Climate change & environmental issues
- Climate change and environmental issues419913
- Risks related to health279687
- Armed conflict and political violence215569
- Risks arising from new technologies182491
- Weapons of mass descruction181071
- Rapid changes in our populations164887
- Breakdown in relations between countries163257
- Cyber warfare and new forms of weapons161625
- Forced migration and displacement161338
- Risk of terrorism114482
- Organised crime109082
UN75 one-minute survey Q3. Which of these global trends do you think will most affect our future? Each respondent could select up to three responses. Base: All (810,558) respondents; 2,153,402 responses.
PARTICIPANTS IN 269 UN75 DIALOGUES HELD AROUND THE WORLD DISCUSSED THEIR CONCERNS FOR WHAT CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WILL DO TO OUR FUTURE
- Participants in Central and Southern Asia, Northern Africa and Western Asia, Oceania and Sub-Saharan Africa focused their concerns on increasing pollution levels and rising temperatures.
- In Central and Southern Asia, participants discussed the risks posed by climate change on exacerbating conflict, as well as the impact of unsustainable consumption on natural resources depletion and access to basic needs, including water and food.
- Concern about the impact of climate change on the lives of the poor and vulnerable resonated in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants in those regions were also concerned about climate change causing major environmental disasters and ruin, including floods, droughts, hurricanes, fires, new diseases linked to ecosystems and desertification.
- In North America, participants discussed the impact of climate change on health, including mental health.
- In Latin America and Central and Southern Asia, participants discussed mass migration that will be brought about due to climate change.
Current global climate change as a result of environmental pollution is putting individuals and whole populations at increased risk, predisposing all to natural disasters.
UN75 youth dialogue, China
PARTICIPANTS DISCUSSED IDEAS FOR ACTION TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
- In Northern Africa and Western Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, participants believed that greater environmental awareness would lead to greater action on the climate crisis and environmental issues, as well as to more sustainable lifestyles.
- In Central and Southern Asia, Northern and Western Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, participants saw hope in new technology, tools and information for more sustainable use of renewable energy sources and to manage ecological threats.
- Proposals for action raised in dialogues across the world included: countries with major carbon footprints taking greater action; sanctions against polluters; more funding towards tackling the climate crisis; and more attention to protection and conservation of natural resources.
- Many supported the Secretary-General stepping up advocacy for Member States to take urgent action on climate change.
The more widespread our climate knowledge, the more of us will act. And the more our peers act, the easier it is to make personal sacrifices.
Jennifer Griggs, UN75 youth essay competition on “The Future We Want, The UN We Need.
Similar to ending the pandemic, one country that is doing well will not mitigate climate change alone. We need to work together; the climate crisis will not come to an end when the pandemic does.
UN75 youth dialogue, United Arab Emirates
Vietnam, UN Vietnam
Key Finding #5
Other major priorities for the future: human rights, settling conflicts, tackling poverty and reducing corruption.
Uzbekistan, UNDP Uzbekistan
Key Finding
1
The immediate demand for post-COVID-19 recovery is improved access to basic services.
Cameroon, UN Cameroon
Key Finding
2
The second priority for COVID-19 recovery is international solidarity and increased support to those hard hit.
Kyrgyz Republic, UN Kyrgyz Republic
Key Finding
3
Respondents are hopeful about health improving, as well as education and women’s rights.
Cameroon, UN Cameroon
Key Finding
4
Looking to the future: the overwhelming concern is the climate crisis and our natural environment.
Vietnam, UN Vietnam
Key Finding
5
Other major priorities for the future: human rights, settling conflicts, tackling poverty and reducing corruption.
Suriname, UN Suriname
Key Finding
6
The young and those in developing countries are more optimistic about the future.
New York, UN Photo
Key Finding
7
87% of people believe global cooperation is vital to address global challenges.
Bolivia, UN Bolivia
Key Finding
8
6/10 respondents believe the UN has made the world a better place, though many see it as remote from their lives.
Switzerland, World Economic Forum
Key Finding
9
Dialogue participants called for the UN to be more inclusive of the diversity of actors in the 21st century.
United Arab Emirates, Natalia Mroz
Key Finding
10
Dialogue participants also called for the UN to innovate, with stronger leadership and consistently exercising its moral authority.
