The World Bank issued a direct warning: pollution is no longer just an environmental problem, but a major economic threat. but a major economic threat.. According to a new report 90% of the world's population faces at least one of three critical problems - toxic air, soil degradation or water scarcity - and in lower-income countries the situation is even more dramatic: 8 out of 10 people suffer simultaneously from all three.

The economic cost of this crisis is monumental. Land degradation costs the world US $379 billion every yearevery year, equivalent to 8% of global agricultural production. Amazon deforestation alone implies losses of close to US$14 billion annually. US $14 billion annuallyand air pollution reduces labor productivity, increases health costs and causes millions of premature deaths each year.

The report also highlights that water stress affects 25% of the world's population. water stress affects 25% of the world's population, and that poor natural resource managementand that poor natural resource management amplifies phenomena such as forced migrations, food price volatility and increased vulnerability of financial systems.

For the World Bank, the old idea that countries should grow first and "clean up later" is no longer viable. "The cost of inaction is far greater than acting immediately," warned Richard Damania, chief economist of the World Bank's Sustainable Development group and co-author of the study.

The call comes at a key moment: with the COP30 in sight COP30 in sightThe organization urges that economic policies incorporate sustainability as a central axis, not as an accessory. It also raises the need to strengthen investments in clean technologies, carbon markets and climate finance.

Despite global budget adjustments, Axel van Trotsenburg, executive director of the World Bank, reiterated the institution's commitment: "We will not waver in our mission to eradicate poverty in a livable planet.

Fynsa

Source: Reuters