UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a commitment to restoring the planet, and to making peace with nature, in his message to mark International Mother Earth Day, celebrated annually on 22 April.

This year’s observation is taking place as the planet is at “a tipping point”, he said, as humanity continues to abuse the natural world.

End the war on nature

“We heedlessly plunder the Earth’s resources, deplete its wildlife and treat air, land and seas as dumping grounds. Crucial ecosystems and food chains are being pushed to the brink of collapse”, the UN chief stated.

“This is suicidal. We must end our war on nature and nurse it back to health”.

The Secretary-General said ending this war calls for “bold climate action” to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.  Stronger steps to protect biodiversity, and reducing pollution and waste, are also needed.