Abu Dhabi: Environment officials have called for action against biodiversity loss, warning of dire implications otherwise, as World Environment Day was marked across the globe on Saturday.
"We inherited a fascinating, beautiful and healthy world. However, today the race is on to protect what's left of our world's biodiversity.
"We are in a race that is challenging us in our everyday lives to harmonise between progress, modernity, the fast pace of development and environmental protection", Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD) said.
"We would like to remind the public how fragile our biodiversity is and that although biodiversity loss is a global issue, action at the local level is needed," he added.
Meanwhile, a new UN report released as part of Environment Day celebrations, said that rescuing ecosystems could save money, generate jobs and combat poverty.
"Restoring lost and damaged ecosystems — from forests and fresh waters to mangroves and wetlands — can trigger multi-million dollar returns, generate jobs and combat poverty", according to the "Dead Planet, Living Planet: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration for Sustainable Development" report compiled by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
"The ecological infrastructure of the planet is generating services to humanity worth over $70 trillion (Dh257 trillion) a year, perhaps substantially more. "In the past these services have been invisible or near invisible in national and international accounts.
"This should and must change", Achim Steiner, UN Undersecretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said in a statement.
Increased hunger risks
The report says that, by some estimates, the projected loss of ecosystem services could lead to up to 25 per cent loss in the world's food production by 2050, increasing the risks of hunger.
Wetlands, half of which have been drained over the past century often for agriculture, provide annual services of nearly $7 trillion every year.
Also, three-quarters of the world's top-selling prescription drugs include ingredients derived from plant extracts.
Programme: Raising awareness
EAD is organising a series of awareness programmes, under this year's theme "Many Species. One Planet. One Future", highlighting the country's incredible biodiversity.
Activities include the Abu Dhabi Wildlife Photography Exhibition showcasing a hundred photographs of marine fauna and flora, including endangered species.
The four-day-long exhibition at the Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort ends on Sunday. The same exhibition will be organised from June 13 to 19 at Al Ma'moura Building, which houses the EAD headquarters, among other prominent government entities.
