June 5th: World Environment Day
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th and its origins date back to the conference on environmental issues that, under the auspices of the United Nations, took place in Stockholm in the distant year of 1972.
A UN General Assembly, of December 15, 1972, adopted the 2994 Resolution, thus designating June 5th as World Environment Day. This day is the United Nations' main vehicle for encourage global awareness and action for the environment.
The celebrations of this World Environment Day are an opportunity for everyone to realize their responsibility in caring for the planet and becoming agents of change.
"While individual decisions may seem small compared to global threats and trends, when billions of people join forces with a common goal, we can make a tremendous difference.” – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
This year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is hosting the celebration, and the theme is "Our Land. Our Future. We are #GenerationRecovery." The theme aims to draw attention to land restoration, halting desertification, and developing drought resilience.
World Environment Day
On this World Environment Day 2024, celebrated on June 5th, attention turns to land restoration, combating desertification, and building resilience against drought. This year, under the motto "Our Earth. Our Future. We are #GenerationRecovery," the celebration highlights the urgency of protecting and revitalizing ecosystems essential to humanity's survival.
Our Land, Our Future
We Are the
Through the official World Environment Day 2024 website, you can find more information on actions to take, as well as materials to promote the movement on social media. Every action, no matter how small, counts.
The Importance of this Day
This celebration is crucial, as we are already facing crises such as climate change, the destruction of nature, and the loss of biodiversity, as well as, no less importantly, pollution and the problem of waste. In this context, restoring nature is crucial, as it allows us to increase livelihoods, reduce poverty, and increase resilience to extreme weather conditions.
Furthermore, nature restoration also promotes increased carbon storage and slows climate change. It is known that nature restoration actions on at least 15% of the Earth's landmass can prevent up to 60% of threatened species extinctions.
Last year, much of the world felt the impacts not only of heat, but also of storms, floods, and drought. Nature restoration is therefore crucial to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030, which calls for the protection and revitalization of ecosystems worldwide, essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of United Nations Convention to Combat DesertificationDespite the challenges, there is still hope! Countries can restore billions of hectares.
The Soil Degradation Crisis
According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, directly affecting half of the world's population. Since 2000, the number and duration of droughts have increased by 29%. Without urgent action, these could affect more than three-quarters of the world's population by 2050.
Land restoration is a fundamental pillar of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a global call for the protection and revitalization of ecosystems, crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2024, the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD will be celebrated, with the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13.
This day is the largest global platform for environmental awareness. This year's celebrations, in 2024, and the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, highlighting the urgent need for climate action to keep global warming below 1,5°C by the end of the century.
World Environment Day aims to drive global action toward achieving restoration goals for large portions of the Earth. Without immediate action, exposure to air pollution and the amount of plastic waste in aquatic ecosystems will increase dramatically.
- register and get involved in activities, events or actions (until June)
- highlight your activity in the World Environment Day activity map
- get involved in soil recovery work, using the UNEP practical guide
- Use the campaign's communication materials and share them with your friends, colleagues, and family to highlight solutions and best practices through your social networks.
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UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)
The Decade (2021-2030) for Ecosystem Restoration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.
This initiative aims to protect and revitalize ecosystems around the world, for the benefit of people and nature.
“Only with healthy ecosystems can we improve people's livelihoods, counteract climate change, and prevent biodiversity collapse.”
The Decade 2021 to 2030 is also the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals and the timeline that scientists have identified as the last chance to prevent catastrophic climate change.
Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN Decade is building a global movement to accelerate ecosystem restoration. This will include building political momentum for restoration, as well as a number of local initiatives.
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The Moment of Truth for Climate Action
As climate records are broken and emissions continue to rise, the UN Secretary-General will highlight the gravity of the climate situation, the risks faced, and the actions needed by companies and countries, especially the G7 and G20, over the next eighteen months to secure a livable future for humanity.
Curiosities and Impacts
- Did you know that every five seconds, the equivalent of a football field of soil is eroded? However, it takes 1.000 years to create 3 centimeters of topsoil.
- Trees in urban areas can cool the air by up to 5°C, reducing the need for air conditioning by 25%.
- Lakes, rivers and wetlands store 20-30% of global carbon, despite occupying only 5-8% of the Earth's surface.
A Practical Guide to Healing the Planet
The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration focuses on eight main types of ecosystems that have been severely degraded. Each can be restored by reducing the pressures they face and taking practical actions to accelerate their recovery.
See the main scientific report and Ecosystem Restoration Playbook to understand the challenges and opportunities for each ecosystem.
Climate Change
Land plays a crucial role in the climate system as an essential carbon sink, with forests and other landforms regulating the planet's temperature and helping to store carbon.
However, land is under increasing pressure due to deforestation, urbanization, industrial development, agricultural expansion, and unsustainable farming practices. The good news is that there are ways to improve soil degradation, helping in the fight against climate change.
Conclusion
The importance of World Environment Day lies in the opportunity it offers to draw attention to critical environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Through educational campaigns, events, and community activities, this day encourages individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to reflect on their practices and adopt measures that contribute to the conservation of the planet.
Furthermore, World Environment Day serves as a catalyst for stricter environmental policies and the implementation of international agreements aimed at environmental protection. It is an opportunity to strengthen global collaboration in the pursuit of sustainable development, ensuring that future generations can enjoy a healthy and balanced environment.
As such, World Environment Day is crucial for raising awareness about the world around us, encouraging collective action, and promoting positive changes in how we interact with our environment.
What do you think about this World Environment Day? We want to know your opinion, do not hesitate to comment and if you liked the article, share and give a “like/like”.
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