World Environment Day: Plant trees, preserve water, 4 other hacks to land restoration

World Environment Day is a global event celebrated annually on the 5th of June, and this year’s theme is on land restoration, halting desertification, and preventing drought. In this editorial, we curated a few hacks to achieving these goals.

But first, let’s speak to what land restoration is and why it is important at this time, as well as what it means to mitigate against desertification and drought.

Land plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Natural spaces such as forests, farmlands, Savannahs, and mountains provide humanity with the food, water, and other raw materials it needs to survive.

Yet, in the words of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), more than 2 billion hectares of the world’s land is degraded, affecting more than 3 billion people. Also, land degradation affects 30% of global land area, leading to loss of ecosystem services, reduced agricultural productivity, and increased poverty.

This is similar to desertification, which is simply the process of land degradation in drylands. It affects over one billion people worldwide, threatening food security, livelihoods, and human well-being.

Meanwhile, droughts are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, affecting human well-being, agriculture, and ecosystems. Enhancing drought resilience is crucial for reducing vulnerability and improving adaptation.

But in the face of these challenges, here are six ways by which we can actively help in saving the planet:

Plant Trees and Support Reforestation: Planting trees helps to restore degraded lands, prevents soil erosion, and promotes biodiversity. Support organizations that plant trees or start your tree-planting initiative.

Preserve Water: Reduce water waste by fixing leaks, using efficient irrigation systems, and harvesting rainwater. Every drop counts.

Support Sustainable Agriculture: Promote agroforestry practices, reduce meat consumption, and choose sustainable products to support eco-friendly farming.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Minimize waste, reuse items when possible, and recycle to reduce landfill waste that can contribute to desertification.

Educate Yourself and Others: Just as you have this today, you could share with friends and family. Learn more about desertification and drought, and how we can all see to the restoration of our land, and then share your knowledge with others to inspire action.

Advocate for Policy Change: Encourage governments to implement policies that support the health of the planet. In the local, state and national level, these laws can provide safety for all of us, as well as future generations.

In a nutshell, to ensure that the coming generations enjoy the earth, these responsibilities are on us. Every small action counts, and collective efforts can lead to significant positive change.

Hence by understanding the importance of land restoration and taking individual actions to support these goals, we can collectively make a significant positive impact on the environment and the general well-being of humans and other species.

…By Damilola Adebiyi