CLIMATE Change: Deadlier than car mishaps

by Revo Dela Cerna

BELGRADE - Europe needs to take drastic action to reverse complex environmental issues that have shortened the life expectancy of its people by almost a year, the European Environmental Agency said.

"Air pollution continues to pose a significant threat to health: it shortens average life expectancy in Western and central Europe by almost one year and affects the healthy development of children," the EEA said in a report presented at the opening of a ministerial conference here.

The continent needed to act fast to deal with challenges including the poor quality of air and drinking water, adverse impacts of climate change and continuing biodiversity losses, said the 400-page report.

"Air pollution by fine particles the highest risk to public health in all regions, higher than that of other air pollutants. The estimated annual loss of life is significantly greater than that due to car accidents," it warned.

The report was unveiled at the sixth ministerial "Environment for Europe" conference in Belgrade , a gathering attended by ministers and other high-level officials from 56 countries including the Philippines .

"We need to further strengthen the will to act on environmental issues across the pan-European region," Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of the EEA, told reporters in the Serbian Capital.