Our environment has been exploited and destroyed for so long. According to WWF, the tropics lost close to 30 football fields’ worth of trees every single minute. We have also destroyed half of our wetlands for over the last century. Furthermore, we have already lost 50 per cent of our coral reefs and projected to lost up to 90 per cent of coral reefs by 2050.
This environment degradation could result in various hazardous effects in the long term, including on our health, loss of biodiversity, ozone layer depletion, and economic impact. It is time to act since there are still several ways of reducing environment degradation.
The overarching theme of this year’s world environment day as stated by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is “reimagine, recreate, restore”, which is focusing on reversing the degradation of our ecosystems. It is the moment to encourage individuals to think about the way they consume; businesses to develop greener models; farmers and manufacturers to produce more sustainably; governments to invest, raising awareness as well as adjusting policies and regulations that place environment reparation and restoration to the forefronts; educators to inspire students to take action; and youth to build a greener future.
The environment has become UCLG ASPAC’s concern. It is also clearly written in one of UCLG ASPAC’s mission to promote sustainable economy, social, cultural, vocational, and environmental development by enhancing services to the citizens based on good governance. And it has been implemented through several initiatives, such as Climate Resilient and Inclusive Cities (CRIC) and LOCALISE SDGs. (More information on our What’s New and Events rubric)
Everybody lives on this planet and therefore, we, individuals, local governments, academics, youth and everybody else must take care of our earth. Let us be part of #GenerationRestoration for a better, healthier and sustainable future.
By KM Team
Source: UNEP, WWF
