“Join the Movement: Restoring Our Land for a Sustainable Future”
In a world where ecosystems are under threat, the need for urgent action to protect our land and secure our future has never been more critical. According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, up to 40% of the planet’s land is degraded, directly impacting half of the world’s population. The frequency and duration of droughts have increased by 29% since 2000, with projections indicating that over three-quarters of the world’s population could be affected by 2050 if no action is taken.
In response to these challenges, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) has been launched as a global initiative to protect and revive ecosystems worldwide. This initiative is crucial in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and addressing the pressing issues of land degradation and desertification.
World Environment Day 2024 will focus on land restoration, halting desertification, and building drought resilience under the theme “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.” This year marks the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, with the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 2 to 13 December 2024.
World Environment Day, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and celebrated annually on 5 June since 1973, is the largest global platform for environmental outreach. In 2024, it will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, providing an opportunity for millions of people worldwide to come together and take action to address the urgent environmental challenges we face.
The need for action is urgent, as time is running out to keep global warming below 1.5°C and prevent further environmental degradation. The UN Secretary-General will address the state of the climate and the actions needed from countries and companies to secure a livable future for humanity.
Every five seconds, the equivalent of one football pitch of soil is eroded, highlighting the urgent need for land restoration efforts. Trees in urban areas can cool the air by up to 5°C, reducing the need for air conditioning, while lakes, rivers, and wetlands play a crucial role in storing global carbon.
As we face the biggest crises facing our ecosystems, it is essential to test our knowledge and understanding of degraded land, deserts, and droughts. Take the quiz to learn more about these critical issues and how we can work together to protect our land and secure our future.