Interactive Dialogue on Harmony with Nature in commemoration of International Mother Earth Day
– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, at Interactive Dialogue on Harmony with Nature in commemoration of International Mother Earth Day
Excellencies, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen – Good morning
And welcome to the Eighth Interactive Dialogue on Harmony with Nature.
Climate change. Pollution. Loss of biodiversity. Just to name a few.
Mother Earth is suffering – and it is our doing.
These phenomena take a toll on human life and health. But they affect, first and foremost, the Earth.
Often we think about protecting the Earth only for our own benefit. After all, human well-being is closely linked to the Earth. But many of us are protecting the planet – simply for its own sake.
For instance, Autumn Peltier, an indigenous girl from Canada believes that water should have rights too. In her view, it is alive and has a spirit. This is also true for many ancient civilizations, indigenous peoples and indigenous cultures.
Our views on the rights of nature may differ. But we cannot go wrong by living in harmony with Mother Earth. This is something that we can all agree on. It is the reason we are here today – to talk about this topic.
And this year’s theme, Earth Jurisprudence in the implementation of sustianable production and consumption patterns in Harmony with Nature, is timely. Sustainable production and consumption will be one of the Goals, namely Goal 12, under review during the High-Level Political Forum.
Allow me to make three brief points in this regard.
First, what living in harmony with nature means today.
It has been 9 years since we proclaimed International Mother Earth Day.
Our message has been consistent: focus not only on people, but also on our planet.
The Earth is not here for us to use and abuse without consequence.
Living in harmony implies balance. It means making sure that we live sustainably.
That we get the benefits from Mother Earth without overburdening Her.
Unfortunately, we are not striking a balance.
We have droughts and floods.
Poverty and excess.
Rising sea levels and dwindling fresh water.
Our Earth is home to these extremes. It will only get worse if we do not change the way we produce and consume goods – especially as our population grows.
Which brings me to my second point.
We need sustainable production and consumption patterns.
Our ever-increasing consumption is unsustainable.
We are throwing away one-third of all food produced – about 1.3 billion tonnes of it. Meanwhile almost 1 billion people are undernourished and another 1 billion go hungry.
We continue to pollute our rivers and lakes as producers try to meet seemingly insatiable demand.
Energy use is growing rapidly but the spread of energy efficiency is not quick enough.
And if our population grows as predicted, by 2050 we will need about 3 planets to sustain our current lifestyles. But we only have ONE.
And this is why we really need to take care of it. We have neither a Plan B nor a Planet B.
So, to achieve our Sustainable Development Goals, we have to change our bad habits.
Last week I heard from a young woman who has fit all of her trash for the last four years into a single jar. And during my trip to Nairobi, I met another young woman who figured out a way to manufacture clothing without any waste at all. And we can all contribute to this effort: Recycle. Be a discerning shopper. Only take what you truly need.
If our population grows as predicted, by 2050 we will need about 3 planets to sustain our current lifestyles. But we only have ONE. And this is why we really need to take care of it. We have neither a Plan B nor a Planet B.
So, my third point is: let us redouble our efforts for Mother Earth. Let’s take action! After all, we are lagging behind on Goal 12.
From Rio, Paris and Nairobi to Samoa, Cochabamba and Quito, we have recognized the centrality of Mother Earth to all that we do. But are we acting on these commitments?
Let us move from thinking and talking to doing.
I hope that we leave here today inspired to do more; enriched by our dialogue; and armed with more information on which to act.
Living in harmony with nature is not just beneficial. It is necessary.
I thank you.