This one-day event is being held to assess recent decisions on the global environmental agenda and offer solutions to common bottlenecks, such as gaps between commitments. and action, as well as the need for broader mobilization.
“We know that we have backed ourselves into a corner with our recklessness. We know this will only get worse and quickly, as we continue to delay necessary actions,” speak Mr. Shahid.
Endless possibilities
Despite the enormous challenges facing the world, he is adamant that humanity can create change, as evidenced by the development of technologies that were once unimaginable.
“I myself remember a time when The power of renewable energy was deemed too weak and expensive to make a difference,” he said. “Today, fleets of cars and countless homes run on renewable energy. Entire cities and countries aspire to be powered by renewable energy. The possibilities are endless. ”
The global ‘triple crisis’
UN Secretary General António Guterres welcomes the meeting, where delegates are reviewing information from major United Nations conferences on issues such as climate, desertification and biodiversity; the state of the oceans and sustainable transportation, food and energy systems.
It comes as countries are facing what he calls a “triple crisis” of climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution.
“Our way of life – based on production, consumption, disposal and pollution – have brought us to this terrible situation“Head of the United Nations” speak in video messages.
“But, since human activities are at the root of the emergency on this planet, that means We also hold the key to solutions. Now is the time to transform our relationship with nature and chart a new path.”
Climate Image Countdown / Raphael Bag
A women’s cooperative in southern Mauritania is using solar energy to run a borehole that supplies water to a market garden.
Act now
The UN Under-Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, outlined areas where governments can act, including changing the way we view and value nature.
“We will have to strengthens nature’s ability to protect us from hazards and extreme events. This means accelerating the implementation of national restoration policies, programs and plans for marine and terrestrial ecosystems while creating new jobs, tackling poverty and improving development. sustainable,” she said.
Countries also need to “close the biodiversity financing gap” by 2030, which currently stands at around $700 billion a year, she added. This can be done through the repositioning and re-direction of $500 billion per year in “harmful subsidies” for more active biodiversity.
Change our way
President of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), Collen V. Kelapile, stressed the urgent need to act on the basis of “gathering scientific evidence” on climate change. The world is at the edge of a cliffhe warned.
“We should do all we can to change the way we consume and produce, and make changes to nature-sensitive economic growth, nature-based solutions,” he said. to rebuild our society after COVID and preserve our environment.
“Or we can go even deeper into the abyss of constant calamities, until we destroy the entire human race. ”
© Ocean Image Bank / Jordan Robin
A school of fish swim in the Pacific Ocean in Australia.
‘A huge political boost to nature’
The discussion at the meeting was conducted by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).UNEP), the head of which, Inger Anderson, listed many results from global meetings over the past year, such as the COP27 climate conference in Glasgow, and the fifth United Nations Environment Council held. in Nairobi.
“But we have not yet reached that point for nature – the time when we really found common ground for nature and make many commitments and commitments that have been made,” she speak in a video message.
This December, countries will gather in Montréal to conclude the Global Biodiversity Framework, a new set of goals for nature for the next decade. Ms Andersen said it must lead to “a major political boost to nature”, as well as adequate mobilization of resources.
She also called on states to adopt a General Assembly resolution on the universal human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
“What Member States are considering is the foundation of human life because the environment sustains humanity and indeed the other rights to which we are entitled,” she speaks.
