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World Environment Day – 5 juin 2024

5 juin 2024
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: carbon storage, désertification, drought, eco-systems, environment, extreme weather, food security, land degradation

World Environment Day is the biggest international day for the environment. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach. It is celebrated by millions of people across the world.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host World Environment Day 2024 with a focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. Land restoration is a key pillar of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world, which is critical to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNEP chief’s statement on World Environment Day 2024

Land restoration can reverse the creeping tide of land degradation, drought and desertification. Every dollar invested in restoration can bring up to US$30 in ecosystem services. Restoration boosts livelihoods, lowers poverty and builds resilience to extreme weather. Restoration increases carbon storage and slows climate change. Restoring just 15 per cent of land and halting further conversion could avoid up to 60 per cent of expected species extinctions.

But we must also end the drivers of land degradation, drought and desertification, such as climate change. Last year, temperatures records were shattered. Much of the world felt the impacts, not just in heat but in storms, floods and drought. Restoring land without tackling climate change would be like giving with one hand and taking away with the other, so G20 nations must show leadership across the whole climate agenda – as the Kingdom has done and continues to do on land restoration.

There is real hope. Countries have promised to restore one billion hectares, an area larger than China. If they deliver, this will be huge. Through World Environment Day and through hosting the UN Convention to Combat Desertification’s conference of the parties this December, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can build momentum and action towards these restoration goals, slow climate change, protect nature and boost the livelihoods and food security of billions of people around the world.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/statements/world-environment-day-2024-accelerating-land-restoration-drought

International Day of Argania – 10 May

10 mai 2023
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: argan tree, Climate change, food security, Maroc, rural areas, sustainable development, water management, Women

The argan tree as a fundamental pillar for sustainable development

The argan tree is typically a multipurpose tree that supports income generation, increases resilience and improves climate adaptation, playing a very important role in achieving the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental – at the local level.

The sustainable argan production sector contributes to the economic empowerment and financial inclusion of local communities, especially women living in rural areas. Cooperatives are instrumental in promoting local job opportunities and can play an important role in contributing to food security and in eradicating poverty.

For centuries, the argan tree has been a mainstay of the Berber and Arab-origin indigenous rural communities, which developed a specific culture and identity, sharing their traditional knowledge and skills through non-formal education, particularly the unique knowledge associated with the traditional production of argan oil by women.

The unique argan-based agro-forestry-pastoral system uses only locally adapted species and pastoralism activities and relies on traditional water management provided by the Matifiya – a rain water reservoir carved into rock, hence contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to the conservation of biodiversity.

Did you know?

  • The argan tree withstands temperatures of up to 50° Celsius.
  • The argan trees are a true bastion against desertification, which can reach 10 meters in height and can live for 200 years.
  • A symbol of eternity and resistance, the argan tree has a strong symbolic and emotional value for local communities.
  • Argan oil is given as a wedding gift and is used extensively in the preparation of festive dishes.
  • It takes about 150 kg of fruit to produce 3 litres of argan oil.

 

Source: Text: https://www.un.org/en/observances/argania-day    Images: Wikimedia Commons (Goats in an argan tree Morocco)

World Pulses Day – 10 February

10 février 2023
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: FAO. diets, food security, future, health, leguminous plants, nutrition, pulses

Pulses are the edible seeds of leguminous plants cultivated for both food and feed.

Beans (Phaseolus and Vigna), chickpeas and peas are the most well-known and commonly consumed types of pulses, but there are several varieties more from around the world, all with great benefits on food security, nutrition, health, climate change, and biodiversity.

Why a World Pulses Day?

Building on the success of the International Year of Pulses (IYP) in 2016 implemented by FAO and recognizing the potential of pulses to further achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated 10 February as World Pulses Day (WPD).

This celebration presents a unique opportunity to raise public awareness about pulses and the fundamental role they play in the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

With the help of governments, the private sector, Members and partner organizations, the public and youth, FAO works to facilitate the observance of this international day and support the production and consumption of pulses as part of sustainable food systems and healthy diets.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.fao.org/world-pulses-day

World Meteorological Day – 23 March

23 mars 2018
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: efficiency, food security, météo, meteorological station networks, safety, science, transport, UN, water resources, weather forecasts, welfare

The United Nations’ (UN) World Meteorological Day is annually held on or around March 23 to remember the World xMeteorological Organization’s establishment on that date in 1950. Many different activities and events are organized for this occasion.

Background
The International Meteorological Organization was established at the first International Meteorological Congress in Vienna, Austria, in 1873. The organization aimed to establish meteorological station networks. These networks were linked by telegraph and improved. This contributed to shipping services’ safety and efficiency.

The International Meteorological Organization became the World Meteorological Organization on March 23, 1950. It became the UN’s specialized agency for meteorology, operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences in 1951.

The World Meteorological Organization plays a crucial role in contributing to people’s safety and welfare. Its work is important in providing food security, water resources and transport. World Meteorological Day has been observed on March 23 each year since 1961.

Source: Text: timeanddate.com  Image: WMO

 

International Fonio Day – 27 July

26 juillet 2016
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: diabetes type 2, droughts, FAO, floods, fonio, food security, Senegal, West Africa

RAE96SD024_C“Fonio is tasty, light, easy to digest and can be served with meat or poultry or vegetables,” says Diakité, who could be considered as the world’s principal champion of the cereal, which is eaten in a huge swathe of Africa, from Lake Chad – on the border between Chad and Nigeria – to Cape Verde, on the continent’s Atlantic coast. Furthermore, Diakité points out, a respected researcher, Dr Djibril Traoré, has recently proved some of the health benefits of fonio.

Professor Traoré, who is a scientific and technical counsellor at Senegal’s Institut de technologie alimentaire (Institute of Food Technology), carried out a series of experiments on mice, some of which had Type 2 diabetes. A sample group of the diabetes mice was fed fonio. “The most important result of the tests was that those fed with fonio were almost cured. [After the experiment] three out of 10 of the mice had completely normal livers. This is strong proof of the value of fonio.” Dr Traoré adds that eating fonio also helps prevent obesity, which is a step on the way to diabetes.

Diakité adds that Fonio Day is also promoting awareness of fonio. Originally proposed by Diakité himself several years ago, Fonio Day had its third annual celebration in July this year. The customary date – 27 July (the date on which Diakité’s first machine was manufactured in 1993 was changed in some areas so as not to conflict with Ramadan.

“Fonio Day is proposed now on the FAO [Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations] calendar,” Diakité says, stressing that, with food security widely predicted to be a major risk in the decades ahead, fonio is an ideal crop for West Africa – this hardy cereal can withstand drought and floods, grows in poor soil and needs no fertilizer and very little water.

Source: Text & Image: Rolex Awards

International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem – 26 July

25 juillet 2016
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: biomass, Biosphere, fisheries, food security, mangrove ecosystems, UNESCO

for-the-mangrove-ecosystem-and-oceans-1Mangroves are rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea. They ensure food security for local communities. They provide biomass, forest products and sustain fisheries. They contribute to the protection of coastlines. They help mitigate the effects of climate change and extreme weather events.

This is why the protection of mangrove ecosystems is essential today. Their survival faces serious challenges —from the alarming rise of the sea level and biodiversity that is increasingly endangered. The earth and humanity simply cannot afford to lose these vital ecosystems.

UNESCO has always been on the frontline of promoting new and harmonious relations between humanity and nature, where the preservation of mangrove ecosystems carries special importance.

To this end, UNESCO is working across the board and with all partners on an open initiative on mangroves and sustainable development. UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves has 86 sites out of 669 that include areas of mangroves.

Source: Text: UNESCO;  Image: Mouvement Mondial pour les Forêts Tropicales (WRM)