This year’s World Environment Day (WED-2021) is all about restoring the natural ecosystem. This year, the UN wants each nation to pledge for reversing the mindless practices that are polluting our cities, coasts and forests. If we are able to bring back some lost glory, we would be able to prevent millions from falling in the ugly trap of hunger, displacement, and diseases.
A recent UNEP report found that the economic benefits of ecosystem restoration are compelling. Between now and 2030, the restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems could generate US$9 trillion in ecosystem services and remove up to 26 gigatonnes of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The economic benefits are ten times more than the cost of investment, whereas inaction is at least three times more costly than ecosystem restoration.
With the world beginning to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is increasing recognition that healing from the pandemic is linked to healing the planet.
Resetting humanity’s relationship with nature will be the focus of World Environment Day on June 5, which also marks the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a ten-year global push to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation.
Nature can and must be part of the solution as international momentum grows to decarbonize all sectors of our economies. Ecosystem restoration can help protect and improve livelihoods, regulate disease, reduce risk of natural disasters and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
In line with the theme of ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ for the WED 2021, we at RSustain are pleased to share that we have been part of this journey through the various projects taken up this year specially projects involving Audits of rejuvenation of lakes and other water bodies involving ecosystem approach across the country. When you are part of this journey which you have always wanted to be, it is a great feeling! Serving mother nature in any way gives you immense satisfaction!
RSustain got the opportunity to work for Water Body Restoration Projects being executed by Hinduja Foundation and IndusInd Bank Ltd through Engineering Audit of four ponds at Ambikapore, Chhatisgarh and CSR Assurance Audits for Lake Restoration projects across many locations. The projects subject to audits were aimed at restoring the existing water bodies (primarily in the urban and peri-urban spaces) as they play an important role in mitigation of the impact of floods that these areas witness during the monsoon.
Without reviving ecosystems, we cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) or the Paris Climate Agreement. Restoration needs to happen at every scale, and everyone has an important role to play: from international organizations and governments to industries and investors to communities and individuals.
Ecosystems are also complex and highly varied, and their restoration needs careful planning and systematic implementation. Restoration holds huge promise. But it is also a challenge. Success requires knowledge, resources and patience. Therefore, let us contribute in Reimagine. Recreate. Restore our sub-systems, sub-sub ecosystems of the Earth Ecosystem.
Happy Word Environment Day 2021!