World Environment Day -2024

The environment is everything around us that supports life. It includes natural elements like air, water, and soil, as well as plants, animals, and ecosystems. The environment also encompasses human-made spaces and the interactions between living and non-living things. Essentially, it’s the world we live in and depend on for our survival and well-being.

World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5th, is a global platform for raising awareness and taking action on urgent environmental issues. Established by the United Nations in 1974, it engages governments, businesses, communities, and individuals in efforts to protect and restore our planet. Each year, the event focuses on a specific theme, addressing challenges such as pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable living. Through activities like tree planting, clean-up campaigns, and educational events, World Environment Day encourages everyone to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable environment for present and future generations.

World Environment Day – 2024

World Environment Day 2024 will be celebrated on June 5^th, continuing its tradition of raising awareness and driving action on critical environment issues. In this year, the theme of the World Environment Day is,

“Our Land. Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration.”

So, this year’s campaigns on the World Environment Day focuses on restoration, desertification and drought resilience. These are critical themes in addressing environmental sustainability and combating climate change.

Restoration of the environment involves efforts to return ecosystems and natural habitats to their original state, reversing damage caused by human activity and natural events. 

Reforestation and afforestation, wetland restoration, soil rehabilitation, river and stream restoration, coral reef restoration and pollution cleanups are some example activities for this process.

• Restoration: Environmental restoration not only improves the health and resilience of ecosystems but also provides benefits to communities by enhancing natural resources, supporting biodiversity, and mitigating climate change impacts. Through collective efforts and sustainable practices, restoration contributes to a healthier planet for future generations.

• Desertification: Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of various factors, including prolonged drought, deforestation, inappropriate agricultural practices, and climate change. This degradation of land leads to the loss of vegetation, soil fertility, and biodiversity, severely impacting ecosystems and human livelihoods. 

Desertification is influenced by climate change, overgrazing, unsustainable agriculture and urbanization etc.

The impacts of desertification are far-reaching, affecting food security, water resources, and human health. It can lead to reduced agricultural productivity, scarcity of water, displacement of populations, and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Combating desertification involves sustainable land management practices such as reforestation, agroforestry, soil conservation techniques, efficient water use, and the rehabilitation of degraded lands. International initiatives like the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) work towards global cooperation and action to halt and reverse the effects of desertification, promoting a more sustainable and resilient environment.

• Drought Resilience: Drought resilience refers to the ability of communities, ecosystems, and economies to withstand and recover from the impacts of drought. Enhancing drought resilience involves implementing strategies and practices that reduce vulnerability, manage risks, and ensure sustainable water and land use. 

Water management is one key component of drought resilience. Water management can be done through efficient irrigation, rainwater harvesting and water recycling.

Soil conservation can be conduct through mulching, cover cropping, no-till farming as a draught resilience strategy.

Developing and planting crop varieties which are drought-tolerance, sustainable land management are some other key points of drought resilience. In community and social levels, community preparedness, policies and governance are more important as well. 

By integrating these practices and strategies, societies can build resilience to drought, ensuring that they can cope with and recover from its effects while maintaining the health of their ecosystems and economies.

By focusing on these areas, World Environment Day celebration can help raise awareness and drive action towards restoring ecosystem, combating desertification and building resilience to drought. These efforts contribute to achieving global sustainability goals and protecting the planet for future generation.

Commemoration of World Environment Day

The host of the global celebration of World Environment Day 2024 is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

In Sri Lanka the celebration was scheduled to take place in the Rathnapura entrance of Sinharaja Reserve, but due to adverse weather conditions and disaster situation, that was canceled. So, the national World Environment Day celebration was shifted to the Presidential Secretariat. Here is an article on this. 

Globally, many events have been planned to celebrate this special day this year as well. Usually, tree planting programs, clean-up campaigns, educational workshops, social media campaigns, eco-friendly initiatives, art and cultural events and many other programs and activities are held to help raise awareness about environment issues and encourage collective actions to protect our planet.

#GenerationRestoration Sri Lanka

The environment plays a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s economy, culture, and overall well-being. 

Sri Lanka is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, with a rich variety of flora and fauna, including numerous endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. The country’s diverse ecosystems, from rainforests to coastal mangroves, support a wide range of plant and animal life, contributing to global biodiversity conservation efforts.

The environment is a key driver of Sri Lanka’s economy, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. Natural resources provide livelihoods for many rural communities, and eco-tourism attracts visitors to explore the country’s natural beauty, generating revenue and employment opportunities.

Agriculture is a fundamental part of Sri Lanka’s economy and society, with a significant portion of the population engaged in farming. The environment provides essential resources such as fertile soil, water, and biodiversity that are necessary for agriculture, ensuring food security for the nation.

Sri Lanka’s diverse landscapes, including its mountains, forests, and wetlands, play a vital role in regulating the local climate. They help to moderate temperatures, regulate rainfall patterns, and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events such as floods and landslides.

The environment in Sri Lanka includes valuable water resources such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater aquifers. These water bodies support agriculture, industry, and domestic needs, making them essential for sustaining livelihoods and economic activities.

Sri Lanka’s environment is deeply intertwined with its cultural heritage and identity. Sacred sites, ancient forests, and traditional farming practices are integral parts of the country’s cultural landscape, connecting people to their history and spirituality.

The environment provides essential ecosystem services such as pollination, soil fertility, and carbon sequestration, which are critical for maintaining the health and productivity of ecosystems and supporting human well-being.

Sri Lanka is vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, cyclones, and landslides. Healthy ecosystems act as natural buffers against these hazards, providing protection to communities and infrastructure.

Given these reasons, the preservation and sustainable management of Sri Lanka’s environment are essential for safeguarding the country’s natural heritage, supporting economic development, and ensuring the well-being of its people now and in the future. Therefore, preserving and protecting this priceless gift of God; the amazing environment in Sri Lanka, for the future generations is very important. Restoration, desertification and drought resilience are very important and sustainable points for these preserving action plans. 

Sri Lanka faces significant challenges related to land degradation, desertification and drought, particularly in its dry zone, which covers much of the northern and eastern parts of the country. Addressing these issues involves tailored strategies that consider the local environmental, economic and social contexts.

Addressing restoration, desertification and drought resilience in Sri Lanka requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. By combating traditional knowledge with modern techniques, engaging local communities and ensuring strong policy support, Sri Lanka can make significant strides towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

-With inputs from Mihiri Saparamadhu-