By Cindy et Benoit
On June 5 each year, we celebrate World Environment Day . This day was proclaimed by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in 1972 in Stockholm . Its aim is to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting our environment but also to encourage concrete actions for its preservation. More than 150 countries participate in this day every year.
The first celebration of this day took place in 1973 and carried the slogan "One Planet Earth". Over the years, this day has mobilized millions of people and helped to change our consumption habits as well as national and international environmental policies.
Each year, it is an opportunity to highlight a particular theme. For example, in 2023 the theme was "Fight plastic pollution", thus highlighting the current issues of climate change.
The 2024 Theme:
This year, the chosen theme is: “Land restoration, the fight against desertification and resilience to drought” .
All over the world, ecosystems are in danger: forests, lakes, agricultural lands, arid zones, etc. These natural spaces, although essential to the survival of humanity, are reaching critical points. This is why it is essential to act now!
This year, the slogan for this day is: “Our lands. Our future. We are the #RestorationGeneration”.
Land restoration is a key pillar of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030). If we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, it is essential that the entire world comes together to protect and revive ecosystems.
Why participate in this day?
Nature is in danger and time is running out! If we want to keep global warming below 1.5°C this century, we must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030!
Some key figures :
- 40% of the planet's land is degraded, which directly impacts half of the population (according to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification).
- Without urgent action, droughts could affect more than 3/4 of the world's population by 2050.
- Every 5 seconds, the equivalent of a football field is eroded.
- Over the past 20 years, terrestrial water reserves have decreased by 1 cm per year.
Conclusion :
It is, of course, not possible to turn back time but it is still possible to grow forests, revive water sources and bring back soils. We are the generation that can make peace with the earth.
This year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) will be held from December 2 to 13, 2024 in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
