Grasslands, shrublands and savannahs cover approximately half of the world’s terrestrial surface. Distributed from Eurasia and Patagonia to Africa and Australia they are home to millions of people. Photo: Damian Patkowski/Unsplash

In his address for World Environment Day 2024, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted a global landscape marred by a perilous amalgam of pollution, climatic upheaval, and biodiversity decline, inexorably morphing once-vibrant terrains into desolate expanses. This transformation is relentlessly encroaching upon forests, grasslands, and vital land resources, eroding their capacity to sustain ecosystems, agriculture, and human settlements.

Consequently, the repercussions manifest in failed harvests, dwindling water sources, economic fragility, and heightened community vulnerabilities, with the most marginalized bearing the brunt of these adversities.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the urgent imperative for nations to honor all commitments in restoring ecosystems and degraded lands, while steadfastly adhering to the entire Convention on Biological Diversity framework, encompassing the Montreal Protocol. He advocated for the integration of novel national climate action plans to proactively combat and reverse deforestation trends by 2030.

Furthermore, he urged for a substantial amplification of financial resources to bolster the resilience of developing nations against inclement weather conditions, safeguard natural habitats, and foster sustainable development.

"The expeditious and efficacious execution of these initiatives carries profound economic dividends. Each dollar invested in ecosystem restoration can yield economic benefits up to thirtyfold... Let us collaboratively forge a sustainable trajectory for both our lands and our collective future," emphasized the UN chief.

Preceding this, as per a joint declaration by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia assumes the mantle of hosting World Environment Day 2024, with a focal thrust on land restoration, drought resilience, and combating desertification.

Over the past half-century, since its inception by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, World Environment Day has emerged as the preeminent global observance spotlighting environmental concerns, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Millions across governmental, corporate, civil, and educational spheres partake annually to heighten awareness and catalyze action in safeguarding the planet's future.

According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), nearly forty percent of Earth's landmass stands degraded, directly imperiling half of humanity and jeopardizing nearly half of global GDP. The escalation in drought frequency and duration by twenty-nine percent since 2000 portends dire forecasts, with projections foreseeing over three-quarters of the global populace vulnerable to drought by 2050.

Central to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), land restoration emerges as a pivotal directive rallying nations to revive and preserve ecosystems worldwide, integral to achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

The burgeoning environmental degradation wrought by human actions precipitates grave consequences such as climate perturbations, ecological depletion, and land desiccation. It falls upon our present generation to safeguard environmental integrity and embark on the journey to revitalize lands and nature to their pristine state.

Thus, the thematic emphasis of World Environment Day 2024 on land restoration, desertification mitigation, and resilience-building against droughts epitomizes a clarion call to action. "While we cannot rewind time, we possess the agency to plant trees, replenish water sources, and reclaim lands," resonates the resolute messaging from the UN platform.

Ngoc Huyen (UN)