Human ingenuity can help to save nature, Guterres says on World Wildlife Day
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for action now to protect nature in his message to mark World Wildlife Day on Sunday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for action now to protect nature in his message to mark World Wildlife Day on Sunday.
Human activities have devastated our wildlife. Human ingenuity can help to save it,” he said.
This year’s theme focuses on how digital technologies can drive wildlife conservation at a time when pollution, climate chaos, habitat loss and exploitation of nature are putting a million plant and animal species at risk of extinction.
No 'silver bullet'
“Already, satellites are helping to track animals under threat. And data is charting wildlife migration and land use, supporting efforts to protect them. But they are a tool in our arsenal, not a silver bullet,” Mr. Guterres said.
He underscored the need for concerted efforts to help preserve wildlife and build a just, sustainable global future.
The Secretary-General urged countries to take urgent action to drastically reduce emissions, adapt to climate extremes, prevent pollution and reduce biodiversity loss.
World Wildlife Day, commemorated annually on 3 March, was established by the UN General Assembly in 2013 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of the planet’s flora and fauna.
The date also marks the day the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was adopted in 1973.
© UN News (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: UN News
Where next?
Browse related news topics:
Read the latest news stories:
- International Diplomat Erik Solheim on Politics, Climate Change, Much-Needed UN Reform and Trump Monday, May 20, 2024
- Haiti: Multinational mission and the “inexorable requirement to restore security conditions” Monday, May 20, 2024
- Syria: WHO Regional Director calls for greater investment in health sector Sunday, May 19, 2024
- Gaza: Nearly 800,000 now displaced from Rafah Saturday, May 18, 2024
- Rising Temperatures Drive Human-Wildlife Conflict in Zimbabwe Friday, May 17, 2024
- Women Organize to Fight Coastal Erosion in Southeastern Brazil Friday, May 17, 2024
- More Diversified Trade Can Make Middle East & Central Asia More Resilient Friday, May 17, 2024
- India’s LGBTQIA+ community notches legal wins but still faces societal hurdles to acceptance, equal rights Friday, May 17, 2024
- UN rights office urges Sri Lanka to reveal fate of the disappeared Friday, May 17, 2024
- Israel refutes South Africa’s accusations at UN world court Friday, May 17, 2024
Learn more about the related issues: