Welcome to the full Episode 8 of Sustainability Karma, India’s first and only talk show on sustainability on All India Radio.

In this episode of Sustainability Karma, the focus is on World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5th. The 2024 theme is ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience under the slogan, Our Land Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration. The theme underscores the urgent need for global efforts to address land degradation, which currently affects 40% of the world’s land, impacting half of the global population and GDP. Since 2000, the frequency and duration of droughts has increased by 29%, highlighting the critical need for action.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has outlined seven key strategies for ecosystem restoration: making agriculture sustainable, saving soil, protecting pollinators, restoring freshwater ecosystems, renewing coastal and marine areas, reintroducing nature to cities, and generating financing for restoration. These measures aim to significantly contribute to land restoration, combat desertification, enhance drought resilience, and ensure a sustainable future for all.

The highlights if the episode are insights from several prominent leaders like Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UN Environment Programme; Nadir Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director, Godrej Industries Group; Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-Founder, ReNew; Kush, CEO, Essar Power, Raj Mariwala, Director, Mariwala Health Initiative; Smitha Shetty, Regional Director – APAC, Achilles Information; Raj Mariwala, Director, Mariwala Health Initiative; Smitha Shetty, Regional Director – APAC, Achilles Information:

Inger Andersen of UNEP emphasises the severe impact of land degradation, noting that it affects 40% of the global population and results in the annual loss of about 12 million hectares of land. This degradation significantly harms global GDP and people’s well-being, highlighting the urgent need for land restoration.

Nadir Godrej of Godrej Industries points out that climate change has escalated to a crisis, as evidenced by increased fires, floods, and droughts. He underscores the importance of focusing on land preservation, aligning with the theme of World Environment Day 2024.

Vaishali Nigam Sinha of ReNew urges everyone to embrace sustainable practices to protect the land. She emphasizes the concept of “Generation Restoration” and calls for a collective effort to renew Mother Earth, reflecting the theme of World Environment Day.

Kush of Essar Power stresses the importance of genuinely celebrating World Environment Day by recognizing our moral responsibility to future generations. He calls for reflection on the kind of planet we are creating and building for them, emphasizing the need for sustainable development.

Raj Mariwala of Mariwala Health Initiative advocates for handing over land management and restoration to indigenous, Adivasi, tribal, and local communities. He highlights the importance of their involvement in land restoration efforts, stressing that these communities possess the traditional knowledge and practices necessary for effective land management.

Smitha Shetty of Achilles Information highlights that every small action, whether planting a tree, conserving water, or promoting sustainable practices, contributes to healing the land and building resilience against desertification and drought. She emphasizes that these individual efforts collectively make a significant impact. The insights from these leaders reinforce the importance of collective action and sustainable practices to ensure a resilient and healthy planet for future generations. Through these efforts, we can address the pressing environmental challenges to ensure a resilient and healthy planet for future generations.