In a joint statement, the leaders of BRICS nations highlighted the urgency to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought. As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the UNCCD COP16 conference, these leaders emphasized the need for increased resources and stronger partnerships to address these environmental issues. The conference will feature the first-ever Green Zone to promote collaboration and innovation in land restoration efforts, with the aim of addressing the root causes of global food and water insecurity. This call for action comes amid current statistics that show 40% of the planet is affected by land degradation and 3.2 billion people are impacted globally.
In celebration of World Environment Day and his birthday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Lucknow planted a sandalwood sapling at his official residence. He emphasized the importance of protecting and promoting nature, stating that "Earth is my mother, and I am her son." The event was attended by several high-ranking officials and the theme of World Environment Day this year is 'Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.'
Celebrating World Environment Day, the Madras Regimental Centre and other units of the Wellington Cantonment joined forces with NGOs and local schools to undertake a re-wilding and ecological restoration program in Coonoor, India. The event, presided by Brigadier Sunil Kumar Yadav, focused on the theme of land restoration and drew attention to the need for combined efforts in protecting and reviving ecosystems. Participants planted appropriate native flora and expressed hope for future transformation of the region into a proper valley bog.
On World Environment Day, the Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA) urges individuals and communities to take action to protect land, which is crucial for future generations. The UN reports that 40% of the Earth's land is degraded, impacting half of the population and posing a threat to the global economy. KOBWA CEO Trevor Shongwe highlights the effects of climate change on land degradation, such as heat waves and loss of water storage, and emphasizes the importance of events like Arbor Month to promote land restoration and conservation. Additionally, Shongwe stresses the damaging effects of uncontrolled sand mining and calls for water management and reforestation as key strategies to combat desertification.
With World Environment Day approaching, World Animal Protection is calling for responsible treatment of all animals, whether in the wild or on commercial wildlife farms. Their recent research has uncovered the cruel conditions in which an estimated 5.5 billion wild animals are being kept, with lack of transparency and inadequate monitoring in the multi-billion-dollar industry. As more and more elephants, bears, and big cats are being bred in captivity for activities like tourism and traditional medicine, the impact on conservation and animal welfare is concerning. The organization urges for stricter enforcement of wildlife trade laws and retirement of elephants used for riding in Amer Fort and Haathi Gaon to wildlife sanctuaries. Additionally, with the focus of World Environment Day 2024 on land restoration and drought resilience, the harmful effects of factory farming on the environment and animal welfare are also emphasized.
World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5th, was established by the United Nations to raise awareness and encourage action towards protecting the environment. With indiscriminate tree cutting and other forms of pollution threatening our planet, it is more important than ever to celebrate this day and understand its significance. The theme for this year is 'Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resistance', with the slogan 'Our Land, Our Future', emphasizing the need to take action to preserve our environment for future generations. Join the global movement and learn more about the history and purpose of World Environment Day.