Exploring the theme "Our Land. Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration"

The world environment day, 5 June 2024, is dedicated to the theme “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration”, which aims to make an impact in land restoration, fight against desertification and develop a drought resilience. The theme is not just a vain slogan, rather weighing the butterfly effect. To make this theme reasonably practicable and to devote ourselves to this cause, it is needed to be explored through all dimensions it encircles.

Integrated Responsibility: The slogan "Our Land, Our Future" highlights the idea of integrated actions to restore land that will significantly impact future generations. No individual, state or an organization alone can guarantee the successful implementation of the provisions of the environmental goals. Word ‘our’ conveys a sense of ownership and responsibility, reminds people that protecting and restoring the land is essential for securing a prosperous future for all.

Empowerment and Mobilization: The phrase "We are #GenerationRestoration" is a call for action, which aims to mobilize individuals, communities, and nations to participate actively in restoration efforts. It fosters a sense of empowerment coming along with a collective responsibility, encourages people to contribute to global restoration efforts. 

Youth Involvement: The theme "Generation Restoration," is particularly focusing on younger generations. According to UN, 1 billion children are at climate risk. Engaging youth is essential to ensure sustained efforts and innovation in restoration activities. These facts identify younger generation not only as the victim but also as the crucial stakeholders in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.  

Global Campaigns and Initiatives: The theme is aligned with global campaigns such as the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), which is working to prevent and reverse the environmental degradation. It is providing a framework for collaborative efforts and highlighting the significance of restoration at a global scale.

Environmental Restoration Focus: The theme emphasizing the urgent need for environmental restoration. With increasing deforestation, desertification, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss, there's a pressing need to restore ecosystems to ensure sustainable development and combat climate change. The theme highlighting the role of land restoration, drought resilience, and anti-desertification actions in achieving these goals.

Land Restoration Focus: Land restoration is a key focus of the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), that calls to protect and restore ecosystems around the world, which is critical to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Drought resilience Focus: The goal of theme 2024 is to create drought resilience in the world. According to a report released in December 2023, approximately 1.8 billion people are drought-stricken. The number and duration of droughts have increased by 29% since 2000. Without urgent action, droughts could affect more than three quarters of the world's population by 2050.

Anti-Desertification Efforts: Lastly, the theme focusing on mobilizing anti-desertification efforts. According to the UN Convention, up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, which is directly affecting half the world's population, creating food security issue, and threatening approximately half of the world's GDP ($44 trillion). 

The implantation of theme "Our Land. Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration" is integral for a healthier, more sustainable planet, that is possible through collective action and intergenerational cooperation in restoring degraded lands and ecosystem.