U.N. planetary report paints bleak regional picture

LONDON (Reuters) - The world's scarce resources are being depleted at a wholly unsustainable rate despite urgent warnings sounded two decades ago, the United Nations' Environment Programme said on Thursday.

The following is a brief regional summary of UNEP's fourth Global Environmental Outlook report.

AFRICA

Land degradation is the biggest threat to the region. It affects about five million square kilometres or one-sixth of the continent. Land is under pressure because of increased demand for resources from the growing population and natural disasters like drought and floods. Food production per head is now 12 percent lower than in 1981. This is exacerbated by unfair subsidies in developed nations. Climate change leading to forced migrations also makes the problems worse.

ASIA AND PACIFIC

This region, home to 60 per cent of the world's people, is making progress in reducing poverty. It is also improving its ability to protect the environment, energy efficiency is increasing in many places, and drinking water provision has advanced a lot in the last decade. But increases in consumption and associated waste have contributed to the huge growth in existing environmental problems including urban air quality, fresh water stress, agricultural land use and the illegal traffic in electronic and hazardous waste. More than one billion people are exposed to outdoor air pollution.