A TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE IS NEEDED: SANDEEP SINGH
ENVIRONMENT DIRECTOR SAYS ENVIRONMENT TREND LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE ‘Despite ambitious global agreements and targets for the protection, sustainable use and restoration of biodiversity, and notwithstanding many local success stories, the global tren
The acceleration of biodiversity loss, pollution and resource depletion are exacerbating poverty, inequalities, hunger and malnutrition. This was confirmed by the Director of Environment Sandeep Singh.
Ms Singh made the sentiments while opening the Global Diversity Framework, the New Deal for Nature Awareness Workshop Fiji at the Holiday Inn, Suva yesterday.
She said unless halted and reversed with immediate effect, it would cause significant damage to global economic and social resilience and stability. “Despite ambitious global agreements and targets for the protection, sustainable use and restoration of biodiversity, and notwithstanding many local success stories, the global trends continue rapidly in the wrong direction,” Ms Singh said.
“A transformative change is needed:
we cannot simply carry on as before. “We are in a state of planetary emergency; the interdependent crises of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and climate change - driven in large part by unsustainable production and consumption.”
She said the two-day meeting would create national awareness on the process and discussion of the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) New Deal for Nature and People.
“We will reflect on the Leader’s Pledge and other Commitments made by the Fijian Government on Biodiversity. “There will be discussions on translating the commitments of Leaders Pledge to action.
“To discuss the opportunities of nature-based solutions in contributing to halting and reversing biodiversity loss.”
She said the development of the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework required participation and collaboration of all relevant Government organisations and stakeholders.
“The Ministry of Environment would like to thank WWF Pacific once again for this initiative and co-ordination of this awareness programme to understand the importance of the framework in partnership with the ministry,” she said.
“Averting this planetary crisis depends not only on action by the Ministry of Environment in Fiji but globally through consolidated efforts and cooperation from all governments across the world, NGOS, scientists, academics, civil society organisations and citizens of the world.”