http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111101/ap_on_re_eu/eu_un_climate_change

 

GENEVA - The United Nations says humans are destroying the environment faster than they are learning to protect it.

 

The U.N. Environment Program says the last two decades have been marked by a steady erosion of the planet's resources as the world population grows and becomes ever more urban.

But a 20-year snapshot comparing the period between the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and next year's sustainable development meeting in the Brazilian city also shows some progress.

UNEP says fossil fuels are being used more efficiently and clean energy production is up sharply.

The report released Tuesday is intended to provide lawmakers with a handy reference on key environmental markers ahead of the 2012 Rio meeting.