Global ecosystem restoration
As a human civilization become more materialistic and depending on technological advancement, this results in a big loss of nature. That is quite apparent and true at least for the current civilization in human history. Our environment is currently facing triple threat – biodiversity loss, climate change and mounting pollution. Amid devastating natural events waiting if not being responded in time, the world celebrated World Environment Day on June 5.
In order to respond to triple emergency, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres kicked off the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The UN chief called it an unprecedented effort to heal the Earth, expressing hopes to reverse damage to ‘ravaged’ ecosystems. Moreover, he asserted that the planet is marching towards “point of no return”. Marking the efforts to heal the planet, heads of governments, religious leaders, activists and artists joined the UN on launching of the global initiative.
Global ecosystem restoration initiative
The mission of the 10-year initiative aims to step up efforts to prevent, halt and reverse degradation of biodiversity. Further, the focus is on areas that are essential for all lives on the planet. The focus area include grasslands, forests, oceans and mountains, that are turning “into oblivion”. As the human degrades the nature, it devastate the food, water and resources crucial for their own survival. By this people have deteriorated well-being of 40 percent humanity i.e. 3.2 billion people living in this world.
Citing the resilience of the Earth Guterres hoped that the world still have time to reverse the damage it has done, adding this is the time to act. Furthermore, as we restore ecosystems, this transformation will have a contribution in the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he marked. Along with safeguarding the resources on the Earth, this efforts are expected to create employment for millions by 2030, Guterres circulated new hope.
Final chance to avert environment crisis
The UN head revealed the projection to generate return of more than $7 trillion dollars per year, helping eradication of poverty and hunger through these new initiatives. The decade of restoration is “a global call to action” with an aim to bring together political support, scientific research and financial muscle. Nonetheless, this all will contribute together to massively scaling up of the restoration, he hoped. Guterres referred the decade as “final chance to avert” the triple environmental crisis.
The decade-long global movement is being co-led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The aim is to re-imagine, recreate and restore ecosystems that are life essential, especially, in times of Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the UN independent experts of human rights have urged the international peace body to formally recognize the life in a safe, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right.
Right to clean environment for every life
Among the 193 UN member countries, 156 have already have this right in written their constitutions, legislation and regional treaties. Experts demanded from United Nations to lead the world by recognizing clean environment as a right for every life. Obviously, an adoption, respect, protection and fulfillment of such right will improve lives of billions on the Earth, they said. They urged the stakeholders to take concrete action to recognize the crucial right for humanity.
