“Our land. Our future. We are Re:Generation” – we celebrate World Environment Day
On June 5, we celebrate World Environment Day, which was created by the United Nations in 1972. This special day reminds us to take care of our planet and encourages activities to protect the natural environment. This year’s theme is “Our land. Our future. We are Re:Generation,” focusing on land restoration, preventing desertification, and improving drought resistance.
Water-scarce areas make up 41% of the Earth’s land surface and 78% of the world’s pastures. These areas contain over a quarter of the world’s forests and a third of global biodiversity hotspots, and they are important sites for bird migration.
Every five seconds, soil the size of a football field is eroded. It takes 1,000 years to replace the top 3 cm of soil. Over 24 billion tons of topsoil are lost each year due to over-cultivation, grazing, and deforestation. Nearly 75% of the world’s fruit and seed crops rely on pollinators like bees, which contribute to 35% of total crop production. Unfortunately, the number of pollinators is decreasing because of intensive farming practices, pesticides, invasive species, disease, and climate change.
Why is this important?
World Environment Day is a perfect time to think about how our daily choices affect the environment. In recent years, climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution have become major challenges for humanity.
Drought and desertification endanger vital ecosystems worldwide, including freshwater systems and soil. Restoring land can help fight against land degradation, drought, and desertification.
Source: worldenvironmentday.global