UN chief urges to stop ‘destroying’ planet and help it thrive – Global Issues

“Each second, an space of ​​wholesome land the scale of roughly 4 soccer fields is degraded,” stated U.N. Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres.

“The security, prosperity and well being of billions of individuals depend upon thriving lands that help life, livelihoods and ecosystems, however we’re destroying the very planet we rely on.”

Desertification, land degradation and drought are among the many most urgent environmental challenges as we speak.

united lands

The theme of at the present time is Union Land. Our legacy. our futurefocuses on the way forward for land administration, the planet’s most treasured useful resource, making certain stability and prosperity for billions of individuals around the globe.

Wholesome land not solely gives us with practically 95% of the meals we eat around the globe, but additionally way more. It garments and shelters individuals, gives jobs and livelihoods, and protects communities from worsening droughts, floods and wildfires.

“As the main focus of this yr’s World Day reminds us, we should ‘Unite for Land,'” he stated. “Governments, companies, academia, communities and extra should come collectively and take motion.”

“We all know what we have to do”

A rising inhabitants, coupled with unsustainable manufacturing and consumption patterns, has intensified demand for pure assets and positioned undue strain on land, resulting in land degradation.

On the similar time, desertification and drought are driving pressured migration, placing tens of tens of millions of individuals liable to displacement yearly.

Of the world’s 8 billion inhabitants, greater than 1 billion younger individuals below the age of 25 stay in growing international locations, particularly areas that straight depend upon land and pure assets for his or her livelihoods. Creating employment prospects for the agricultural inhabitants is a viable answer that enables younger individuals to entry eco-entrepreneurship alternatives whereas scaling up greatest practices.

“We all know what we have to do,” the UN chief stated. “The United Nations Conference to Fight Desertification (UNCCD) is evident on this. As we mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Conference, the world should considerably speed up the tempo of implementation.

To this finish, he pointed to the necessity to construct momentum for the Convention of the Events to the Conference to Fight Desertification (COP16) in Riyadh and make sure that younger persons are heard in negotiations.

“Collectively, let’s plant the seeds for a affluent future for nature and humanity,” he stated.

fast info

• Each second, the equal of 4 soccer pitches of wholesome land is degraded, totaling 100 million hectares yearly
• For each $1 invested in land restoration, you may stand up to $30 in return
• Agriculture accounts for a excessive share of financial earnings in lots of international locations affected by desertification, land degradation and drought
• In accordance with the United Nations Conference to Fight Desertification, greater than 130 international locations have dedicated to attaining land degradation neutrality by 2030, in order that human actions have a impartial and even constructive influence on land.
• The United Nations helps modern efforts around the globe, together with the newly launched Nice Inexperienced Wall Observatory, which tracks progress of Africa’s largest land restoration initiative to fight land degradation, desertification and the unfavourable impacts of local weather change within the Sahel
• United Nations Schooling. The Scientific and Cultural Group (UNESCO) has established a rising community of nationwide and international Geoparks that mix conservation with sustainable improvement, working 213 UNESCO International Geoparks in 48 international locations. The community remains to be rising.
• Be taught extra about how the United Nations can assist right here