This World Environment Day, the focus was on ecosystem restoration.

Ten reasons why cities play a key role in land restoration, combating desertification, and building drought resilience:

1. The burden of cities: Urban areas, occupying 3% of Earth’s land, are responsible for 75% of resource and energy use, over half of waste, and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions, significantly contributing to land degradation.
2. Urban restoration for climate change: Restoring urban ecosystems helps cities counter climate change and disasters by enhancing carbon sequestration, reducing emissions, and providing natural disaster protection.
3. Economic benefits of restoration: Investing in restoration yields up to $30 in ecosystem services per dollar spent. Cities can capitalize on these benefits by incorporating green infrastructure and restoration projects.
4. Urban biodiversity: Protecting urban biodiversity creates sustainable environments. This includes conserving wildlife habitats through biodiversity considerations in urban planning, governance, and resource allocation.
5. Sustainable urban planning: Cities can address land degradation by incorporating sustainable land use practices that mitigate climate change impacts, such as increased droughts and heatwaves.
6. Food security and urban agriculture: Land degradation reduces global food productivity. Urban agriculture can help cities improve food security and reduce the urban heat island effect.
7. Water management: Land degradation affects water supplies. Cities need sustainable water practices, like rainwater harvesting and restoring natural water bodies, to ensure clean water availability.
8. Indigenous knowledge: Indigenous communities are vital for conservation. Cities can incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into urban green space management.
9. Youth engagement: Engaging youth in restoration projects is crucial. Cities should invest in youth-led initiatives to foster new environmental stewards.
10. Women’s involvement: Women are integral to restoration efforts. Urban policies should promote gender equality and involve women in land use and conservation decision-making.

These points underscore the importance of integrating environmental sustainability into urban planning and policy-making for the well-being of urban communities and the planet.