Written by: Summer Graham

The UN has declared the years 2021-2030 the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which aims to halt the degradation of ecosystems and restore them to a natural state. This ambitious undertaking will contribute to achieving global goals set to enhance livelihoods, counteract climate change, and stop biodiversity loss and collapse.

Healthy ecosystems like forests, wetlands, and mangroves contribute to the halting and reversal of climate change, absorbing up to one third of global CO2 emissions. With a projected global population of 9 billion by 2050, healthier ecosystems will allow us to feed growing populations without removing more natural features from the landscape. Restoration also has potential to create sustainable, green jobs which will be essential for the recovery and creation of sustainable societies post-COVID-19 global pandemic. In addition to these benefits to humans, almost 1 million plant and animal species on the brink of extinction can be brought back by restoring healthy habitats for them to thrive in.

 Currently, 57 countries, subnational governments, and private organizations have committed to start restoring over 170 million hectares of land within the decade. A variety of landscapes and ecosystems will be targeted including farmlands, forests, waters, mountains, grasslands, peatlands, and urban areas. The 10 actions highlighted for the decade of restoration work include:

• Empower a global movement
• Finance restoration on the ground
• Set the right incentives
• Celebrate leadership
• Shift behaviours
• Invest in research
• Build up capacity
• Celebrate a future of restoration
• Build up the next generation
• Listen and learn

Read, watch, and explore the resources below to learn more about the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and visit https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/ to learn how you can get involved!

Read:

IUCN - Decade on Ecosytem Restoration 

Rainforest Partnership - 2021-2030 Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, UN Announces 

Decade on Restoration - Tree planting crash course 

Watch:

Webinar on the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration

10 years to Heal the Planet

The Morton Arboretum, what is ecological restoration?