António Guterres' message on World Environment Day

We have very quickly reached a very critical point for the planet.

We face a triple environmental emergency – biodiversity loss, climate disruption and increasing pollution.

For too long, humanity has deforested the Earth, polluted its rivers and oceans, and destroyed its grasslands.

We are destroying the ecosystems that support our society.

And, in doing so, we risk losing the food, water, and resources we need to survive.

Degradation of nature has damaged the well-being of 3.2 billion people – or 40 percent of humanity.

But fortunately the Earth remains resilient.

However, he needs our help.

We still have time to repair the damage we have done.

Therefore, on this World Environment Day, we are launching the United Nations Decade for Ecosystem Restoration.

This worldwide movement will unite governments, the private sector, civil society, and citizens in an unprecedented effort to heal the Earth.

By restoring ecosystems, we can drive a change that will contribute to achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals.

This task is monumental.

We need to replant and protect our forests

We need to clean our rivers and seas.

And we need to green our cities.

Achieving all this is not just about protecting the planet's resources

It will create millions of new jobs by 2030, generate returns of more than 7 trillion dollars annually and help end poverty and hunger.

The United Nations Decade for Ecosystem Restoration is a global call to action.

It will marshal political support, scientific research, and financial clout to scale up restoration on a massive scale.

Everyone can contribute

Science tells us that these next 10 years are our last chance to avert climate catastrophe, reverse the tide of deadly pollution, and end species loss

Therefore, let today be the start of a new decade – a decade in which we finally make peace with nature and secure a better future for all.