The UN ’s most comprehensive - ever environmental report has indicated that humanity ’s exploitation of the planet ’s natural resources is occurring more quickly than the earth can cope with . The study by 1,203 scientists involved the co - operation of 160 governments . It argues that unless radical action is taken , the prosperity of the developed world will be unsustainable . The report identified water scarcity as a particular issue for many of the world ’s poorest areas . Climate change , population growth , urbanisation , land degradation and increasing poverty all place water sources under threat . The study also found that basic measures to combat environmental damage were not being taken , meaning that despite efforts by governments , the rate of damage was increasing across the globe . Water sources are under increasing threat from population growth, climate change, rapid urbanisation, rising levels of consumption, and the degradation of lands that previously provided a natural replenishment of water resources. Finally , the report called for a greater consideration of the environmental consequences of development .
The UN ’s most comprehensive - ever environmental report has indicated that humanity ’s exploitation of the planet ’s natural resources is occurring more quickly than the earth can cope with . The study by 1,203 scientists involved the co - operation of 160 governments . It argues that unless radical action is taken , the prosperity of the developed world will be unsustainable . The report identified water scarcity as a particular issue for many of the world ’s poorest areas . Climate change , population growth , urbanisation , land degradation and increasing poverty all place water sources under threat . The study also found that basic measures to combat environmental damage were not being taken , meaning that despite efforts by governments , the rate of damage was increasing across the globe . Finally , the report called for a greater consideration of the environmental consequences of development .