International Mother Earth Day -- 22 April 2021

The original roots of International Mother Earth Day go back to the 1970s when environmental protection was not yet a priority of the national political agendas. Confusion no longer exists about the importance of biodiversity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the need to re-imagine and transform our relationship with nature, while promoting community and global health. It has shown that safeguarding the environment must be at the heart of development plans. 

The solution to the crises perpetuated by continued global  biodiversity loss and runaway climate change lies in healing and restoring the planet.  This year sees the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.  Restoring ecosystems increases the supply and quality of ecosystem services over time towards desired outcomes supporting national sustainable development priorities.

Key Quotes

"We must end our war on nature and nurse it back to health.
That means bold climate action to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius and adapt to the changes to come.
It means stronger steps to protect biodiversity.
And it means reducing pollution by building circular economies that drive down waste." António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations

"Mother Nature is calling for our help... Let us set in motion the political momentum needed to develop a robust and ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework, to make progress on climate goals, to begin to restore our one and only planet, and set countries on the path to a sustainable future." -- Elizabeth Maruma Mrema,   Executive Secretary, Convention On Biological Diversity 

More information:

Statement

Ecosystem Restoration

Preparations for the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework