Panos Institute Southern Africa has called for renewed commitment to addressing land degradation and climate change, as the nation joins the rest of the world in commemorating world environmental day.
Since its proclamation by the United Nations in 1972, the World Environment Day is commemorated annually on 5th June , to raise awareness and mobilize action to protect the environment.
Panos Institute Southern Africa Executive Director, Vusumuzi Sifile, says this year’s commemoration comes at a time when biodiversity, food security and livelihoods in Southern Africa are threatened by land degradation and the climate change induced drought.
“Unless government, the private sector, traditional leaders and citizens in the region take practical measures, land degradation, desertification and climate change induced disasters like drought will not only undermine food security and economic stability, but also worsen the poverty situation,” said Mr. Sifile in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
He has therefore urged governments and stakeholders in the region to recommit the promotion of sustainable land management through progressive polices on land.
Mr. Sifile said that investing in land restoration is investing for the collective future.
Angel Kasabo
