World Environment Day 2021-Reimagine, Recreate, Restore

 

Theme for the World Environment Day, 2021 is“Ecosystem Restoration”.

The United Nations General Assembly declared June 5th to be World Environment Day (WED) in 1972.  In 1974, the inaugural celebration was held, “Only One Earth." was the slogan.

Every year, a different country hosts formal celebrations for World Environment Day, with Pakistan serving as the host this year.

Pakistan's government is planning a five-year "10 Billion Tree Tsunami" to grow and repair the country's forests. The campaign calls for the restoration of mangroves and forests, as well as the plantation in urban areas such as schools and colleges.

Pakistan is participating in the Bonn Challenge, a global initiative tied to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, through the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami. Countries have agreed to restore 350 million hectares of deforested land worldwide by 2030 as part of the challenge.

Pakistan will host World Environmental Day, 2021

In 2014, Pakistan's government launched a large afforestation campaign known as the "Billion Tree Tsunami." Restoration of mangroves, increased forest cover, and tree planting in urban areas were all part of the ambitious effort.

Pakistan has announced a new platform dubbed the "Ecosystem Restoration Fund" to promote biodiversity conservation, create green jobs, and encourage nature-based solutions to combat climate change.

Pakistan was ranked fifth on the list of nations most affected by climate change between 1999 and 2018, according to the Global Climate Risk Index annual report 2020. According to the study, Pakistan has suffered economic losses of $3.8 billion.

 Ecosystem Restoration

Ecosystem restoration entails helping in the healing of ecosystems that have already been disturbed, as well as the conservation of ecosystems that have not been damaged.  More fertile soils, larger harvests of wood and fish, and big sinks of greenhouse gases are all benefits of healthy ecosystems with more biodiversity.

Restoration can take several forms, including actively planting or relieving pressures to allow nature to regenerate by itself. Recovery of 350 million hectares of destroyed land and marine ecosystems might provide $9 trillion in ecological processes between now and 2030. Reclamation might also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 13 to 26 gigatons. Ecosystems of all types can be restored.

UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)

Following a request and resolution for engagement of 70 nations from all geographies, the United Nations General Assembly has declared the UN Decade on Ecological Restoration. It is a call to action for the preservation and revitalization of ecosystems worldwide, for the benefit of both man and environment. The United Nations Period goes from 2021 to 2030, and this is also the timeframe for the Sustainable Development Goals and, according to experts, the final chance to avoid catastrophic climate crisis. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are leading the charge ,The UN Decade is fostering a strong, wide - ranging worldwide movement to accelerate repair and set the world on a path toward a more environmental sustainability. This includes generating political support for restoration as well as hundreds of grassroots efforts.

Ecosystem restoration entails preserving biodiversity and assisting ecosystems in providing benefits to both people and the environment. It entails enhancing the natural systems and capabilities of ecosystems on land and in the waters. Restoration actions can also involve avoiding or minimizing the level of deterioration.

Although World Environment Day is a once-a-year event, it does not imply that we should just focus on the environment on that day. Nature preservation is our obligation, regardless of the day, organization, event, nation, or subject.

• Make a shift in your way of life. Look for ways to live in harmony with nature and make small changes in our daily lives.
•  Others should be informed about the activities involved in environmental damage. This is not a struggle we can win on our own; even if we can raise awareness among a tiny group of individuals, it can make a huge difference.
• Raise awareness among the younger generation by telling them about many parts of nature.

Ecosystem restoration refers to aiding in the recovery of ecosystems that have been harmed by pollution or deforestation. Ecosystem restoration can also be aided by the preservation of the remaining ecosystems. More fertile soils, larger fish and wood harvests are all benefits of a healthy environment and a diverse biodiversity.

As the subject of World Environmental Day is Ecosystem Restoration. Ecosystem restoration can be accomplished by actively planting trees or decreasing stress on the ecosystem by safeguarding the environment and lowering pollution levels.

Aqsa Muhammadi