UNEA-5 ends with clear message: act now to tackle planetary crises Photo: UNEP / 24 Feb 2021 The virtual Participants were left in no doubt that 2021 marks a critical turning point if the world wants to secure a future where people and planet can thrive together. UNEP’s Executive Director Inger Andersen described the cost of inaction “Unless we take action, future generations stand to inherit a hothouse planet with more carbon in the atmosphere than in 800,000 years. Unless we take action, future generations will live in sinking cities. From Basra to Lagos. From Mumbai to Houston. Unless we take action, future generations will be lucky if they can spot a black rhino. And unless we take action, future generations will have to live with our toxic waste – which every year is enough to fill 125,000 Olympic size swimming pools,” she said.