This year, the World Environment Day 2024, with the slogan "Our Earth, Our Future", has a special emphasis on restoring the earth, stopping desertification and building resistance against drought. In addition, according to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, 40% of the earth's land has been destroyed, which directly affects half of the world's population. Also, the frequency and duration of droughts have increased by 29% since 2000, and if immediate action is not taken, drought may affect three quarters of the world's population by 2050. Land restoration is one of the important goals of the United Nations regarding ecosystem restoration in 2021 to 2030. Also, land reclamation plays a significant role in achieving sustainable development goals.
On this occasion, Dr. Amin Padash, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Iranian Scientific Association of Health, Safety and Environmental Management and Engineering (HSEME), in a message while congratulating this World Day on the importance of paying attention to education, awareness and public participation to achieve this sustainability, emphasized the environment and prioritizing the preservation of the environment in all aspects of development - industrial, service, economic, cultural and social.
"As in the holy book of the Holy Quran, in its teachings, it emphasized the immunity of nature and natural resources and environmental balance from any encroachment and transgression, and considered encroachment and encroachment on nature as a corruption on earth and a cause of punishment in the hereafter and worldly responsibility, and as it was narrated from the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that he said: "Protect me from the earth." That's right, on World Environment Day, we emphasize the importance of protecting the earth and its natural resources, the two biggest challenges of the 21st century that threaten the lives of millions of people and ecosystems Including individual and collective measures to restore the land, planting and protecting forests, are among the most important measures that we can do. The need for healthy food production is to pay special attention to sustainable agriculture, which creates the most optimal use of water and soil resources, and community awareness also plays a key role in changing attitudes and behaviors, which is one of the main missions of the association, and by creating a culture of environmental protection and encouraging the public to join this path, we can have a positive impact on the future of the earth. Every small action by me, you and all of us, like reducing plastic use, saving water and supporting local projects, can lead to big changes. Finally, as guardians of this planet, we must be more responsible towards our environment.
On this day, let's resolve to preserve the earth for future generations and restore ecosystems and prevent desertification. This is the only way we can stand up to today's challenges and build a sustainable and greener future for ourselves and our children.
Let's be the voice of the earth and respond to it."