UN begins session on sustainable development

The latest session of the UN commission on sustainable use of the world's resources got under way at the UN Headquarters in New York Monday with delegates focusing attention on how best to maintain economic development while limiting the current consumption trends that cause environmental degradation.

"Changing unsustainable consumption patterns is critical to maintaining our planet's ecological balance," Sha Zukang, the UN under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, told the commission. "If we are going to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), address climate change and ensure every person is given a fair chance for a better future, we need to seriously change the way we consume the Earth's resources."

The 18th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development is taking place amid growing concerns that present consumer-oriented trends have potentially damaging effects on ecosystems, climate, food and water supplies and human health.

The commission will be reviewing ways to assist countries come up with environmentally-friendly technologies and help corporations to develop greener business models, and consumers to adopt lifestyles that are more sustainable.

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