From space the Earth appears as a blue planet, but about
one billion people are forced to drink contaminated water,
while another 2.3 billion are suffering from water shortages.
With climate change the importance of water increases.
The oceans absorb around 2bn tonnes of CO2 per year,
maybe even 2.8-2.9bn tonnes. Increasing CO2 alters the
chemistry of seawater – known as ocean acidification –
which affects marine life. On land, shortages create water
conflicts between countries and people.

Air pollution kills 7 million people each year, according
to the World Health Organisation. Worst hit are cities
in India, China and Pakistan. In China, about 1.6 million
people die from air pollution each year. In Europe, the
number of premature death from air pollution is 430.000
-800 000 persons.

Air pollution kills

The price drop in solar and wind power has initiated an
energy revolution. In Westerns Australia a renewable
energy hub of 50 GW is planned. It will produce 3.5 million
tonnes of hydrogen per year or 20 million tonnes of green
ammonia in a project estimated at USD 100 bn. In Western
Australia there is another project of 26 GW and in Oman
one of 25 GW.

Energy revolution

The WHO warns that the obesity epidemic creates a health
crisis of immense proportions. The number of overweight
reached 2.3 billion in 2016, compared with 857 million in
1980. Weak socioeconomic groups suffer. Among African-
American women in the US 50 percent have obesity.
The US has the highest proportion of obesity among OECD
countries: 35 percent of women and 34 percent among men.
The obesity rate is even higher for women in arab countries:
40-50 percent in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait.

Obesity epidemic

Unlike many other of the world's major cities Greater Tokyo
with 37 million inhabitants is functioning with first-class
public transport, sewage and sanitation systems.
Central to the sustainable city is an efficient land use in the
station near areas of dense settlement and concentration
of activities within walking distance of 1000 meters, and that
the station is integrated with the surrounding neighborhoods
and the region.

Sustainable city

Humanity's collective knowledge explodes. With the James
Web Telescope astronomers can study time shortly after
the Big Bang. With the construction of the neutron spallation
source ESS in Lund physicists will be able to study materials
and microcosmos. Intelligence Watch monitors technological
progress and its implications for sustainable development.

ESS contributes