Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 22 Apr 2021, 06:05 am Print
Mother Earth Day Image: CIFOR/Ollivier Girard
New York: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for commitment to restoring the planet, and to making peace with nature, in his message to mark International Mother Earth Day, celebrated annually on 22 April.
This year’s observation is taking place as the planet is at “a tipping point”, he said, as humanity continues to abuse the natural world.
End the war on nature
“We heedlessly plunder the Earth’s resources, deplete its wildlife and treat air, land and seas as dumping grounds. Crucial ecosystems and food chains are being pushed to the brink of collapse”, the UN chief stated.
“This is suicidal. We must end our war on nature and nurse it back to health”.
The Secretary-General said ending this war calls for “bold climate action” to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Stronger steps to protect biodiversity, and reducing pollution and waste, are also needed.
- 'Immense impact' of Nepal flood disaster highlighted as casualties mount
- India sends 37.5 tonnes of aid, US pledges $500,000 for flood-hit Nepal
- Nepal flood catastrophe leaves 7 dead, 384 tourists missing
- Massive flash flood wreaks havoc in Nepal: Villages swept away, 3 dead
- Powerful 7.7 quake hits Indonesia: 5 dead, buildings damaged
