Since 1973, World Environment Day has brought together millions of people from more than 150 countries to draw attention to the pressing environmental problems of our time. It is celebrated on 5 June and organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Each year a specific environmental issue is highlighted. This year's World Environment Day campaign focuses on restoring land, halting desertification and building resilience to drought under the theme "Our Land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration." This year's campaign calls on governments, organisations, communities and individuals to work together for a sustainable future by taking action to restore natural habitats and reduce environmental degradation. More information, materials and presentations can be found on the World Environment Day website, in the practical guide and the short video.
The problem of land degradation, desertification and droughts
Life on earth is sustained by the soil. Humanity relies on farmland, forests, grasslands and savannahs to sustain its civilisation. These landscapes are supported by aquatic ecosystems such as oceans, rivers and lakes, which keep water circulating, making the land fertile.
But the world's ecosystems are increasingly under threat. Unsustainable production and excessive consumption are also major contributors, leading to a triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of biodiversity loss and the crisis of pollution and waste.
Restoring ecosystems is more urgent than ever, a realisation shared by many countries around the world. Globally, between 765 million and 1 billion hectares of land are earmarked for restoration. Almost half of this is in sub-Saharan Africa, with a large proportion also in Asia and Latin America.
The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to restore ecosystems around the world to prevent and halt further degradation of the natural environment. The programme focuses on reviving degraded ecosystems such as forests, grasslands and wetlands, which could help end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction of species.
Every year, 55 million people are directly affected by drought, making it the biggest threat to livestock and crops in almost every part of the world. And more than a fifth of the world's land area, around 2 billion hectares, is degraded. If land degradation is not halted, global food production could fall by 12% and food prices could rise by 30% by 2040.
Strategy of the European Union
The European Union (EU) is on the way to a green transition. The EU has adopted the European Green Deal - a package of policy initiatives to bring the EU to the goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
How is Slovenia approaching this issue?
Resolution on Long-Term Climate Strategy until 2050
“With the Resolution on Long-Term Climate Strategy until 2050, Slovenia has set itself the clear goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80-90% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels, improve sinks and at the same time accelerate the implementation of measures to adapt to climate change and ensure the climate security of the population.
National Energy and Climate Plan
Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan aims to reduce Slovenia's total greenhouse gas emissions by up to 36% by 2030 compared to 2005 and to increase the share of renewable energy sources in final energy consumption to at least 27%. Achieving the climate and energy targets will be one of the most important national priorities by 2030, as climate change has a major impact on our quality of life." (Climate Change, GOV.SI)
Rejuvenate forests campaign
In Slovenia, forests covered 58.5% of the country's area in 2020. Rejuvenation campaigns have been taking place in Slovenia for several years under the auspices of the Slovenski državni gozdovi (SiDG). In April 2024, "Rejuvenate Forests 2024" campaign took place for the fifth time. Teams of volunteers planted around 10,000 trees at five locations across Slovenia.
How can you help tackle this global problem?
🌍 Join local actions such as clean-ups, tree planting campaigns, etc.
🌍 Change your behaviour and start composting your bio-waste.
🌍 To support local farmers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, buy locally.
🌍 Buy sustainable and locally produced goods and beverages.
🌍 Introduce more environmentally friendly foods into your diet, such as lentils, beans and chickpeas.
🌍 Learn about the environmental impact of food choices with the planet-based diet calculator.
🌍 Empower yourself for sustainable development. As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), we are implementing the project Effective Education for Green and Digital Transition (UM Rectorate), where we also organise lectures on the green and digital transition and raise awareness on sustainable development among staff and students. You are welcome to attend future lectures, which will be announced at dogodki.um.si.