We need to halt & reverse damage to environment with shift from exploiting nature to healing it: UN

The World Environment Day (June 5) is observed each year to enhance awareness to protect our environment and eco-system as well as to draw attention of the world community to the serious environmental issues such as 'global warming, marine pollution, human over-population, protection of wildlife, and sustainable consumption.'

According to the UN, the emergence of COVID-19 has also shown just how disastrous the consequences of ecosystem loss can be. "By shrinking the area of natural habitat for animals, we have created ideal conditions for pathogens – including coronaviruses – to spread," states the UN website.

The UN has been stressing the need to reimagine, recreate and restore the ecosystem restoration by preventing, halting and reversing damage with focus to go from exploiting nature to healing it.

Last year, World Environment Day was kick off the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a global mission to revive billions of hectares, from forests to farmlands, from the top of mountains to the depth of the sea.

"Only with healthy ecosystems can we enhance people’s livelihoods, counteract climate change and stop the collapse of biodiversity," asserts the UN website while warning that the 'ecosystem loss is depriving the world of carbon sinks, like forests and peatlands, at a time humanity can least afford it. Global greenhouse gas emissions have grown for three consecutive years and the planet is one pace for potentially catastrophic climate change.'