Ecosystems around the world are in danger. From forests and arid lands to agricultural lands and lakes, the natural spaces on which humanity's existence depends are reaching a point of no return.

According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, up to 40% of the planet's land areas are degraded, directly affecting half of the world's population. The number and duration of drought periods has increased by 29% since 2000 and, if urgent action is not taken, droughts could affect more than three quarters of the world's population by 2050.

For this reason, World Environment Day 2024 focuses on restoring lands, stopping desertification and strengthening resilience to drought under the theme "Our lands. Our future". We can't go back in time, but we can grow forests, revitalize water sources and restore soils. We are the generation that can make peace with the lands.

Soil restoration is a fundamental pillar of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), which is a call for the protection and revitalization of ecosystems around the world, a fundamental aspect of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

2024 will mark the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, from December 2 to 13, 2024.

Over the last 50 years, the celebration has become one of the most far-reaching global platforms in favor of environmental causes. Tens of millions of people have joined in to participate virtually and in person in activities, events and all types of initiatives around the world.

Time is running out and nature is in an emergency situation. To keep global warming below 1.5°C this century, we must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. If we don't act now, exposure to polluted air will increase by 50% this decade , while plastic waste flowing into aquatic ecosystems could triple by 2040.

Urgent action is needed for “One Earth” and its focus on sustainable living in harmony with nature.