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A Message from Mother Earth

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15 June 2021

Nature is suffering — from Australian bushfires, Africa’s locust invasion, to worldwide’s COVID-19 pandemic.

Mother Earth is urging a call to action.
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Locust invasion in Kenya

Climate change, man-made changes to nature such as deforestation, land use, intensified agriculture, and livestock production can increase contact and transmit infectious diseases from animals to humans (zoonotic diseases) like COVID-19.

One new infectious disease emerges in humans every four months. 75% of these emerging diseases come from animals.

This shows the close relationships between human, animal, and environmental health.

Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet – and its people. Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction.
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Let’s remind more than ever in this International Mother Earth Day (22 April) that we need a shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet. Let’s promote harmony with nature and the Earth.

We must act decisively to protect our planet from both the coronavirus and the existential threat of climate disruption.

UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

 

Quick Facts

  1. The planet is losing 4.7 million hectares of forests every year – an area larger than Denmark.
  2. A healthy ecosystem helps to protect us from these diseases. Biological diversity makes it difficult for pathogens to spread rapidly.
  3. It is estimated that around one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction.
  4. If we fight climate change and biodiversity loss turning to sustainable models will help not just nature, but human health