The importance of preserving our planet is more crucial than ever, and speakers at the COP16 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Saudi Arabia made this clear. They warned that action is needed to protect life on Earth and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Ibrahim Thiaw, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, said: “How we manage our land today will directly determine the future of life on Earth.” These words resonate as an urgent warning of the importance of conserving our natural resources.
The theme of the COP16 meeting in Riyadh, “Our Earth. Our Future.”, brings together world leaders, experts and community representatives from around the world to work towards land restoration and combating desertification. These environmental issues are crucial to ensuring a sustainable future for our planet and preserving biodiversity.
The United Nations weather agency reported in October that 2023 was the driest year in 30 years for the world’s rivers, due to a record-breaking hot year that led to reduced water flows and contributed to prolonged droughts in some regions. We are facing extreme weather conditions, with increasingly hot summers and increasingly unpredictable precipitation patterns.
The world is facing unprecedented upheaval, and the warning signs are clear for a possible record year in 2024 for heat and climate change. Professor Johan Rockström, a Swedish scientist, warned at COP16 in Riyadh that we are entering a decisive decade that will shape the future of humanity for many generations to come.
It is imperative that concrete and immediate action is taken to protect our environment, restore our lands and combat desertification. Each of us has a role to play in this quest for a more sustainable future, and it is time to act collectively to preserve life on Earth for future generations.