Because of the climate crisis, food and water security, health and biodiversity, ecosystems must be repaired and renewed. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet and people are. For our future, we must prevent biodiversity from being at increased risk.
Saying that, the next 10 years are our last chance against the climate crisis and mass extinction, says President of the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoglu and calls for participation in the ecosystem renewal campaign.
Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) Faculty Member and Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D) President Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu states that the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Renewal (2021-2030) mobilization will be started on June 5, World Environment Day, which will be celebrated with the theme of 'Ecosystem Renewal'.
“By saying ‘Redesign; Rebuild; Reconfigure’, let us be the generation that will make peace with the nature. If we are the generations that renew, revitalize and protect their damaged ecosystems, we can reverse this trend by saying stop. For this reason, today's generations are important and our generation has a high responsibility” said Karaosmanoğlu.
Ecosystem renewal campaign begins
Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu said, “After the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Renewal announced in March 2019, the issue has been tried to be kept on the agenda. 2021 is an important year. The Ecosystem Renewal Campaign begins.
By promoting the Decade of Ecosystem Renewal on June 5, World Environment Day, a call will be made under the leadership of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and a mobilization will be initiated for viable and lasting solutions with the goal of uniting member states, local governments, business, academia and civil society for actions.”
If biodiversity has a problem, humanity will have bigger problems
Biodiversity -defined as plants, animals and microorganisms on the land and in the water ecosystems of our world- is the power, present and future of our nature. We live, shelter, feed and work together to grow the economy by developing the industry. Most importantly, we want to be healthy and happy. However, if nature is not healthy and happy, people cannot be healthy and happy. Karaosmanoğlu said, “Human disrupts the health and order in green and blue by disrupting ecosystems and gradually destroying biodiversity. While one million plant and animal species are in danger of extinction in our damaged nature, we have learned very hard in the Covid-19 outbreak about the need to address threats to ecosystems and wildlife. Because if there is a problem with biodiversity, humanity will have bigger problems. Biodiversity is forest, field, river, sea, food. The essence of the word is the support of our life'.
The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet and people are
Prof. Karaosmanoğlu said, “Human cannot live in a healthy way if ecosystems are not renewed. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet and people are. Emphasizing that we can all be successful if we all play a role as citizens and industry in the campaign to renew the ecosystem for careful work and patient implementation. Let's green our garden, our cities, clean our coasts, seas, everywhere we live, keep them clean, not waste the land and water, consume less, use energy and let's live water efficient. Because the next 10 years are our last chance against the climate crisis and mass extinction.” She called for all of us to join the Ecosystem Renewal Campaign.
