Our little planet is quickly losing its natural habits. According to the United Nations, our world loses enough forest every three seconds to cover “a football pitch” or 100-130 yards. Additionally, the Earth has already lost half its wetlands and coral reefers, and can lose 90% by mid-century if climate change is not kept to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

The planet is getting hotter due to the release of greenhouse gases from industrial pollution and the burning of fossil fuels. Environmental destruction makes our already warming planet even warmer, according to the UN. Peatlands and forests trap and store carbon for long periods. As they are destroyed, the planet loses its ability to prevent greenhouse gas from getting absorbed into the atmosphere.

While all of these possibilities are dangerous and real, they can be prevented. World Environment Day, June 5, is a time to reflect on the importance of our environment and take action to protect it. This year’s theme is “Reimagine – Recreate – Restore” and focuses on the importance of restoring our ecosystems. 

“Ecosystem restoration means preventing, halting and reversing this damage – to go from exploiting nature to healing it,” states the United Nations. “This World Environment Day will kick off the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a global mission to revive billions of hectares, from forests to farmlands, from the top of mountains to the depth of the sea.”

While official celebrations will take place in Palestine, there are plenty of ways to participate at home. 

  • Watch the official broadcast.
  • Join thousands of people across the planet in the #GenerationRestoration challenge, which encourages everyone to clean up and restore their local communities. 
  • Check out events happening around the world. 

Are you interested in the dynamic relationship between human activity and the environment? Learn more about Environmental Engineering with IEEE TryEngineering.