Thirty years ago, the Earth Summit, which took place in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, paved the way for the establishment of three major conventions on the environment - specifically on biodiversity, climate change and desertification. As countries meet on all three conventions in 2022, and indigenous rights activist Hindou Ibrahim talks about the indispensable role that indigenous communities around the world play in protecting life on our planet - its biodiversity, land and climate.
On 2 and 3 June 2022, world leaders and other representatives including youth, gather in Sweden for – an international meeting to drive action towards a healthy planet for the prosperity of all. The event commemorates the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm - which marked a new era of global cooperation. comes at a crucial time as the Earth is in emergency mode, and urgent action is needed to address the of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
Rich and healthy soils are the basis of all life on Earth. Yet up to 40 percent of the planet’s land is degraded, affecting half the world’s population. Especially at risk are people living in drylands – covering 45 percent of the Earth’s surface – which are prone to desertification and the devastating impacts of climate-related shocks such as disease, drought, flooding and wildfire. Around 12 million hectares of land are lost each year to degradation. and its partners are working towards a land degradation-neutral world, to support ecosystem functions and improve food security.
A mother of three children, Laiku Lama worked as a farmer in the mountainous district of Humla, one of the most isolated and underdeveloped regions in Nepal. In 2018, she left her family to board a plane for the first time in her life. After six months studying in India, she literally enlightened her village upon her return: as a newly certified solar technician, she installed solar home lighting in 220 houses, benefitting over 2,100 people. Laiku was one of three Lama women who became so-called Solar Mamas, thanks to a South-South cooperation initiative.
Today and every day, commit to taking #ClimateAction! Here are 8 climate actions you can take for a sustainable world.
Imen Jabli, a young engineer, proves a woman can lead a successful business, while helping the environment and promoting sustainable development. showcases women entrepreneurs.
Demonstrating the wide-ranging consequences of the climate crisis, the UN has appointed the first-ever Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the context of Climate Change. Ian Fry, who is of Australian and Tuvalu heritage, teaches environmental policy at the Australian National University in Canberra. As UN Special Rapporteur, he will be tasked with studying how climate change affects the full enjoyment of human rights, and recommend ways to prevent these effects.
In an with the UN’s Julia Dean, Mr. Fry explained why the Human Rights Council created his new role.
Audio Credit: UN/ Julia Dean
Audio Duration: 7'
Photo Credit: Kiara Worth
In support of the ActNow campaign, the #MyClimateAction photo and video competition encourages people around the world to showcase their climate action. your photo or video.
Mother Earth through our Lenses, encourages Indigenous and local community youth to express themselves on climate action, while learning about copyright.
One of the winning ideas of is solar-powered motorcycles to reach pregnant women at home. Winners receive seed funding and a six-month incubation programme.
These countries will suffer the most devastating impacts of climate change even though they’re not responsible for causing it.
Climate activist Ashley Lashley leads a movement called the HEY (Health and Environment-friendly Youth) Campaign - where she works with young people across the Caribbean to help to foster sustainable lifestyles and understand the impacts of climate change on our health - and the health of our planet. "I believe that the wealth of our nation depends on the health of our environment, and our people,†says the 22-year-old, who became a , to promote social development issues, such as health and the environment, among children and young people.
Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C will be beyond reach. However, there is increasing evidence of climate action, say scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change () report released on Monday. “Climate promises and plans must be turned into reality and action, now,†the UN Secretary-General said in his statement on the report. “It is time to stop burning our planet and start investing in the abundant renewable energy all around us.â€
The latest warns that human-induced climate change causes dangerous and widespread disruptions, despite efforts to reduce risk. Dr. Christopher Trisos explains the Africa chapter.
“Go vote†is the resounding message that 20-year-old climate activist Sophia Kianni wants everyone to hear, because the only way to effect real change to slow global warming, is through better public policy, she says.
One of seven activists who make up the Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, the young American bemoaned the failure of the US Congress to pass ‘Build Back Better’ legislation, to tackle the climate emergency.
If people want to be engaged, they need to be involved in their political processes, Liz Scaffidi, but she began by explaining how she took up the mantle of climate activist.
Audio Duration: 3'42"
Photo Credit: UN News/Elizabeth Scaffidi