World Environment Day

World Environment Day 2024 is an annual global event organized by the United Nations to raise awareness and promote action on critical environmental issues. Taking place on June 5, this year's focus is on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience and is hosted by Saudi Arabia.

What is land restoration?

Land restoration is the process of returning degraded or damaged land to a healthy, functional state. This involves a variety of practices aimed at improving soil health, reestablishing vegetation, enhancing biodiversity, and restoring the natural ecosystem processes. The goal is to recover the land's productivity and ecological balance, making it more resilient to environmental challenges such as erosion, desertification, and climate change.

What is desertification?

Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agricultural practices. It leads to the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, resulting in the loss of vegetation, soil fertility, and biodiversity. Desertification can severely impact ecosystems and human livelihoods by reducing the land's ability to support crops, livestock, and other forms of life.

What is drought resilience?

Drought resilience refers to the ability of a community, ecosystem, or agricultural system to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from drought conditions. It involves implementing practices and strategies that reduce vulnerability and enhance the capacity to cope with and adapt to the impacts of drought. These strategies can include water conservation techniques, diversifying crops, improving soil health, and developing efficient water management systems. The aim is to sustain livelihoods and minimize the negative effects of drought on the environment and society.

The day aims to encourage governments, businesses, and individuals to take part in activities that contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development. This event involves a variety of activities, including tree planting, clean-up campaigns, and educational events, to engage people in protecting the environment.

“We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.” – Thomas Fuller