As a global outreach programme for raising awareness and action for the protection of the environment, World Environment Day has been observed on 5 June since 1973.
While the worldwide event marks its 50th anniversary, this year’s theme is "Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience”.
It’s a clarion call echoing from the parched deserts of Africa to the drying wetlands of Asia, demanding collective attention and action to safeguard the planet's ecosystems.
Once vibrant landscapes are now barren wastelands as cracked earth mimics the despairs plaguing the environment.
The land is the foundation of human existence. A degraded land not only weakens the life support systems, it displaces communities, threatens biodiversity, and fuels climate change.
While land restoration isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, the benefits are universal. Restored land stores more carbon, mitigates floods and droughts and provides a haven for wildlife.
It empowers communities, fosters food security, and breathes life back into dying ecosystems.
A dire reality
Desertification, the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, is a phenomenon exacerbated by human activities and climatic variations.
According to the UN, it affects 1.5 billion people globally, threatens food security, displaces populations, and exacerbates conflict.
The Sahel region in Africa, for instance, is a poignant example where desertification has led to severe food shortages and migration crises of people globally, with consequences that ripple through food security, water availability, and livelihoods.
Over the past decades, the relentless advance of deserts has transformed fertile lands into barren stretches, reducing agricultural productivity and displacing communities.
Drought, often a companion to desertification, has become more frequent and severe due to climate change - affecting agriculture, water supply, and entire ecosystems. The impacts are particularly devastating in regions already vulnerable to water scarcity, such as the Middle East, parts of Africa, and Australia.
These prolonged periods of deficient rainfall lead to water scarcity, impacting everything from crop yields to drinking water supplies.
Innovative solutions, such as drought-resistant crops, efficient irrigation systems, and water conservation techniques, are essential for building resilience.
The dual threats of desertification and drought create a vicious cycle that traps vulnerable communities in a state of perpetual crisis.
Pathway to hope
Ranging from reforestation and afforestation to sustainable agricultural practices and the rehabilitation of wetlands, Land restoration is not just an environmental issue; it is a socio-economic imperative.
Around the world, 2 billion hectares of land are degraded, affecting the livelihoods of over 3.2 billion people. Degraded lands can no longer provide the ecosystem services necessary for life, such as clean water, fertile soil, and biodiversity.
Restoration efforts, such as reforestation, agroforestry, and sustainable land management, can transform barren landscapes into thriving ecosystems.
These practices not only enhance biodiversity but also sequester carbon, mitigate climate change, and support sustainable agriculture.
For communities dependent on the land, restoration can mean the difference between poverty and prosperity.
Community-based approaches are essential for fostering drought resilience. Empowering local communities with knowledge and resources enables them to implement sustainable water management practices.
Additionally, developing early warning systems for drought can provide critical lead time for communities to prepare and respond effectively.
Trees act as natural barriers against wind and water erosion, improve soil fertility, and enhance the infiltration of rainwater. Furthermore, they sequester carbon, helping to combat climate change.
Wetland rehabilitation, another crucial aspect of land restoration, involves restoring degraded wetlands to their natural state. Wetlands act as natural water filters, flood controllers, and biodiversity hotspots. Their restoration can improve water quality, mitigate flooding, and provide habitat for numerous species.
Not a celebration but a call to action
World Environment Day is not a celebration; it is a call to action.
It isn't also just about acknowledging the problem; an outreach to rally individuals, communities, organisations and nations – to become the healing hands for the planet.
Policies that promote sustainable land use, investments in green technologies, and public awareness campaigns are critical in this effort.
Every tree planted, each piece of land restored, and every sustainable practice adopted is a step toward a more resilient and verdant world.
