Climate change and ecosystem destruction are escalating threats, with 43 million hectares of forests lost and 35% of wetlands vanished since 1970. The 2021 World Environment Day, themed ‘Ecosystem Resuscitation,’ underscores the urgency of collective action. This article analyzes global efforts and expert insights from Vu Phong Energy Group, offering actionable strategies to combat climate change through renewable energy, circular models, and sustainable practices. Discover how businesses and individuals can align with SDG13 and contribute to meaningful environmental restoration.
World Environment Day 2021, observed on June 5, 2021, marked a significant annual event for the United Nations, dedicated to fostering global awareness and action on environmental issues.
- SDG4: Ensure quality education for all
- The tripartite cooperation towards sustainable development goals
- SDG13: Climate Action – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Climate and Ecosystem Restoration
First established in 1972, World Environment Day has grown into an annual global event, engaging millions of people across more than 150 nations. In 2021, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) selected “Ecosystem Restoration” as the theme, aiming to inspire collective action to protect and revive ecosystems worldwide, emphasizing critical Climate Action.
Recent data from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) highlights a concerning trend: over the last decade alone, more than 43 million hectares of forest—an area larger than Germany—have been lost. Additionally, the United Nations Commission reports that seventy-five percent of the Earth’s land surface has been significantly degraded by human activities. Research from the Wetlands Convention further warns that global wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests, with nearly 35% of the world’s humid zones vanished between 1970 and 2015.
These losses inflict irreparable damage to ecosystems and deplete the planet’s crucial “carbon sinks,” while global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise in tandem with economic growth.
(Source: Internet)
The theme of World Environment Day 2021 is closely aligned with the message “We’re part of the solution,” which was the theme for Biodiversity Day on May 22, 2021. This year also marks the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030). These initiatives collectively underscore a unified global message: it is imperative for every nation and individual to unite and act more effectively for the preservation and restoration of Earth’s ecosystems.
Climate Change and Specific Actions
In response to World Environment Day and the urgent call for environmental protection and restoration, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has issued numerous calls to action, emphasizing that “Earth needs us.” This includes a collective effort against climate change, promoting green raw materials for environmental conservation, and the rational use of biodiversity resources. Simultaneously, it fosters initiative and action through synchronous solutions for functional agencies, municipalities, institutions, and individuals.
Macro-economic approaches to ecosystems, such as strategic planning processes, are vital for maintaining ecosystem health, biodiversity, and a greener environment. This requires robust cooperation from businesses and individuals, implementing practical measures that contribute to global Sustainable Development Goals. These efforts are crucial steps towards achieving practical solutions for businesses on their journey toward net-zero, and individuals alike.
The use of renewable energy is the solution that many companies are pioneering towards green production
Developing and implementing circular economic models, alongside sustainable exploitation and optimization of natural resources such as renewable energy sources, energy savings, and green production, are key to corporate sustainability. This approach to sustainable development offers “double advantages” for the economy, society, and the environment.
Every individual can reduce their environmental footprint by adopting a green lifestyle, consuming fewer resources in daily life, establishing habits of reuse, limiting single-use plastics, and refraining from consuming, selling, or harvesting wildlife. Educating the younger generation on nature protection and biodiversity conservation is also paramount. Within every family, the use of sustainable energy sources actively safeguards the environment and contributes to building a green future.
When no one remains on the sidelines in protecting the environment and ecosystems, even small actions can collectively create far broader and more impactful repercussions!
Climate Change Solutions
Addressing the challenge of increasingly depleted fossil energy sources, Renewable Energy solutions such as solar, wind, and geothermal power have become essential in tackling Climate Action. These Climate Change Solutions offer viable alternatives to traditional energy.
The new emission factor from MONRE 2021 indicates that for every 1 MWp of solar energy, annual carbon emission reduction is approximately 1268.7 tons of CO2 (equivalent to generating about 1,500,000 kWh of power annually). Based on the Tree Plant Factor index, this is comparable to the effect of planting 17,550 trees (1,500,000 x 0.0117).
Similarly, 1 MWp of wind energy can reduce approximately 1,800 tons of CO2, 9 tons of SOx, and 4 tons of NOx annually.
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Source: Vu Phong Energy Group
