Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Minister Flavien Joubert’s message on the occasion of World Environment Day ‒ June 5 |06 June 2022

Minister Joubert

‘Let us protect the only one earth which we call home’

“Seychelles joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5. This year’s event is being organised under the slogan ‘Only One Earth’, the same slogan used for the first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm in 1972. This was the first time that environment was put at the core of the global agenda.

“Given the need for development to transform economies and societies, the impacts on the environment have been detrimental. Today, we see that planet earth is in peril with the climate heating up quickly, biodiversity being lost at an alarming rate, pollution and waste continue to poison the air, land and water.

“We need to change the way of doing things and take bold actions to restore the health of our planet, which is not getting better but, deteriorating every day. It is our responsibility to protect and restore planet earth, which we call our home, but we cannot do it alone. We need collective and transformative actions. This same message has been echoed in the recent Stockholm +50 meeting which was convened by the United Nations General Assembly in Sweden from June 2-3, 2022.

“Despite the characteristic of a small island developing state, we are committed when it comes to environment protection. The environment provides us with our basic needs such as the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. The environment can be considered as the ‘foundation’ of the pillars of our economy.

“It is our right to enjoy a clean and healthy environment. It is also our responsibility to take good care of it as articulated in our Constitution.

“To recognise the special significance of this year’s World Environment Day, the ministry will organise a series of activities with various groups during the month of June, such as community cleaning events, tree planting, information workshop etc. You can also take part by doing something right for the environment, such as taking your waste with you when you go to the beach. Any small gesture will make a difference.

“Let us reflect on our actions and join hands to the world to make the earth a better place and to build a more resilient planet which we call home.

“For any additional information and to add your event in our calendar send us your request on info@env.gov.sc or contact the department of environment through its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AgricultureClimateChangeEnvironment

“Time is running out, and nature is in emergency mode. To keep global warming below 1.5°C this century, we must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Without action, exposure to air pollution beyond safe guidelines will increase by 50 percent within the decade and plastic waste flowing into aquatic ecosystems will nearly triple by 2040.

“We need urgent action to address these pressing issues, making ‘Only One Earth’ and its focus on living sustainably in harmony with nature, as pertinent as ever.

“Truly transformative options towards sustainability need to be available, affordable and attractive for people to make better daily decisions. Key areas for transformation include how we build and live in our homes, cities and places of work and worship, how and where our money is invested, and what we do for fun. But others of greater magnitude also include: energy, production systems, global trade and transport systems, and protection of biodiversity.

“Many of these options can only be created by larger entities: national and sub-national governments, financial institutions, businesses, international organisations, and other organisations with the power to rewrite the rules, frame our ambition and open up new horizons.

“Nevertheless, individuals and civil society are pivotal advocates, awareness-raisers and supporters. The more we raise our voices, emphasise what needs to be done and point out who is responsible, the faster change will come.

“By supporting World Environment Day 2022 and the #OnlyOneEarth campaign, you can help ensure this unique and beautiful planet remains a comfortable home for humanity.”

Press release from theAgriculture, Climate Change and Environment ministry