World Environment Day

5th June 2021 marks World Environment Day

By now, we all know the damage being done to the environment. Natural resources are being drained, irreversible damage done to wildlife and pollutants released into the air we breathe.

However, awareness of the above is at an all time high and there are some incredible initiatives to help combat the damage being done.

This year, the 5^th June is World Environment Day and one such initiative being launched is the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a 10-year push to halt and reverse the decline of the natural world.

So, what does this mean? What is an ecosystem and how do we restore one? Answering these questions helps us understand how individuals and businesses can be involved with the initiative and have a positive impact on its goal.

An ecosystem is a place where plants, animals and other organisms, in conjunction with the landscape around them, come together to form the web of life.

There are 7 main types of ecosystems:

Ecosystems provide us with priceless benefits. They include a stable climate and breathable air; supplies of water, food and materials and protection from disaster and disease. Natural ecosystems are important for our physical and mental health. They are home to precious wildlife. For many, they are a source of wonder and spirituality.

As individuals and businesses, we have a social responsibility to maintain and restore ecosystems we use. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration initiative provides 6 steps to help understand how we can start on a journey of ecosystem restoration.

1. Know your local ecosystems – what ecosystem are you surrounded by? How has it changed over the years?
2. Know the drivers of degradation – what are the direct and indirect causes of change over the years?
3. Know the answer – what needs to change to restore that ecosystem? What resources are available to do so?
4. Get others on board – who can you rally to help you drive change?
5. Set goals and measure progress – how are you going to know that restoration is taking place?
6. Help nature help itself – how can you ensure that you are supporting natural processes and not adding to the harm?

Each ecosystem is unique and there is no one size fits all approach to restoration. However, there are quick actions individuals and businesses can take to start restoring ecosystems:

Ecosystem restoration is a small but vital piece in the puzzle to protecting our planet. Individuals and businesses have a social responsibility to replenish and restore the resources we use for own good and in doing so we can, over time, start to restore some of the damage we have done.

Read about the latest addition to our Apprenticeships below. Follow the link and download the programme brochure.

Read more information by visiting https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/get-involved/ecosystem-restoration-playbook