‘Our land, our future’
Celebrated annually on the 5th June, this year’s World Environment Day is being organised under the theme ‘“land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience” which focuses on land restoration, halting desertification, and building drought resilience. Land restoration as a key pillar in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
All over the world, ecosystems and their species are under increasing threats from forests and drylands to farmlands and lakes. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification or UNCCD highlights that up to 40 percent of the planet’s land is degraded, directly affecting half of the world’s population. The increased frequency and intensity of droughts is a sign that urgent action is needed to restore and protect our terrestrial ecosystems.
To commemorate the event, the Ministry will organize an exhibition at Camion Hall to highlight its efforts and those of its partners in tackling environmental issues such as land degradation, droughts, and forest fires. Additionally, tree planting activities will be held with various schools nationwide. The Ministry is also collaborating with the Ministry of Education and the Department of Information, Communication, and Technology (DICT) to launch the annual Science Fair, showcasing innovative ideas and projects developed by students.
It is through their creativity and ingenuity of that we can find new solutions to combat climate change and protect our environment.
According to Minister Joubert ‘technological wonders can become the catalysts for tomorrow’s breakthroughs, and this science fair is the perfect platform to ignite that spark of innovation’.
‘Already we are using technologies in the energy sector, agriculture and other sectors. We need to make use of more of the new technology to help solve of our problem’ said Minister Joubert.
‘We may not be able to turn back time, but we can re-grow degraded forests, revive water sources, and restore soils. We are the generation that can make peace with the land’ so that we ensure the survival of the future ones’.
Coordinated efforts at global, national, and local levels are essential in order to address key environmental concerns. Let us continue to inspire, innovate, and lead the way towards a brighter, more sustainable future for our land and and our children’s future.
Remember that the environment is the foundation of our livelihood; without it, nothing, including our existence, would be possible.
Happy environment Day.