Saturday 5th June 2021 is the World Environment Day and the theme is “Ecosystem Restoration”. According to the United Nations, it counts with Pakistan as the host country this year for its official celebrations, calls for urgent action to revive our damaged ecosystems. From forests to peatlands to coasts, we all depend on healthy ecosystems for our survival. Ecosystems are defined as the interaction between living organisms – plants, animals, people – with their surroundings. This includes nature, but also human-made systems such as cities or farms.

It will see the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Ecosystem restoration can take many forms: Growing trees, greening cities, rewilding gardens, changing diets or cleaning up rivers and coasts. This is the generation that can make peace with nature.

The Caribbean Regional Youth Council joins in recognition of World Environment Day 2021 under the theme “Ecosystem Restoration”. As the Caribbean community comprises many small island developing states it is cognizant of the importance and need for Ecosystem Restoration and conversation. Healthier ecosystems, with richer biodiversity, yield greater benefits. Ecosystem Restoration aids in assisting in the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed, as well as conserving the ecosystems that are still intact.

The History of the Day

In 1972, the UN General Assembly designated 5 June as World Environment Day (WED). The first celebration, under the slogan “Only One Earth” took place in 1974. In the following years, WED has developed as a platform to raise awareness on the problems facing our environment such as air pollution, plastic pollution, illegal wildlife trade, sustainable consumption, sea-level increase, and food security, among others. Furthermore, WED helps drive change in consumption patterns and in national and international environmental policy (Geneva Environment Network).

St@y connected!

Salaura DIDON