From the rise of sea levels if we lose Antarctica’s ice cap to tonnes of solid waste produced globally

55

The percentage of global emissions that can be addressed through renewable energy, with the remaining 45% coming from the production of food, cars, clothing, and generic products.

80

The increase in the percentage of extreme weather events over the past 20 years.

1 000

The kilograms of CO2 that are emitted in the production of 1kg of beef. The same amount of pork accounts for 24kg.

728 789

The estimated number of plastic microfibres released when washing one load of acrylic fabrics.

3 000

The litres of water needed per person per day to live comfortably — 50l for drinking and cleaning, 100l for washing clothes, and 2 500l to produce the food we eat. 

50

The number of metres by which sea levels will rise if we lose Antarctica’s ice cap. 

2 000 000 000

The tonnes of solid waste produced globally every year, consisting of 44% food and organics, 17% paper, and 12% plastic. 

56.3

The kilometres you have to drive in a car to emit the same amount of greenhouse gases as buying one white cotton shirt. 

70

The percentage of global clothing donations that end up in Africa, where they ruin local textile industries, cause rampant pollution, and impact infrastructure. 

75

The percentage of crops that depend on animal pollinators.

48/13 

The UN Human Rights resolution that formally recognises access to a healthy environment as a fundamental human right. 

15-20 

The percentage of plastic waste that is collected for recycling — only 9% of all plastic gets recycled. 

13 700 000

The number of deaths worldwide every year as a result of air pollution, chemical exposure, or other environmental risks. 

• From the February edition of Wanted, 2022.