In the year 1972, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 5 as World Environment Day (WED). World Environment Day is one of the foremost international days for recognition of the environment. This is a global celebration, and also adds important value to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as it marks our beginning.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established on June 5, 1996 — 28 years ago. We have been working tirelessly throughout those 28 years, actively engaging local businesses and industries to promote environmentally sustainable practices to ensure the protection of you, the citizen, and the wider environment. The theme for WED 2024 is “Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience”.
Over the past five decades, the Day has grown to be one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach. Tens of millions of people participate online and through in-person activities, events and actions around the world. According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, up to 40 percent of the planet’s land is degraded, directly affecting half of the world’s population, and threatening roughly half of global GDP (US$44 trillion). The number and duration of droughts have increased by 29 per cent since 2000; and without urgent action, droughts may affect over three-quarters of the world’s population by 2050.
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.
Guyana is known for leading the region in taking a bold stand for the protection of the environment. In this regard, EPA aims this year to highlight the country and agency’s position on land restoration, preservation and protection, while ensuring environmental sustainability and development. Activities will commence with the signature Green Walk, which would bring together all categories of stakeholders to renew their resolve to protect the environment and display their commitment by means of “land restoration, desertification and drought resilience”. In addition to the media programmes, the Agency would be partnering with agencies such as the GLSC, GGMC, CDC, GFC and MNR to educate the public on projects and traditional knowledge embarked on by these agencies to restore, protect, and conserve our land resources.
Currently, Guyana, as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, has been actively working through its Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the national focal point, to fulfill its commitments. The EPA has been pivotal in developing and implementing National Biodiversity Action Plans, including aligning the NBSAP 2015-2020 with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted in 2022. This framework sets 23 global targets for biodiversity protection by 2030, focusing on restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems, and enhancing sustainability in agriculture and forestry, as outlined in Targets Two and Ten.
The EPA has worked diligently to develop standards for restoring and reclaiming degraded lands, preventing the release of contaminants, and conserving and managing associated resources. Additionally, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund-US, the EPA is the executing agency for the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes Project (ASL), which is aiming to strengthen landscape connectivity through improved management of the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area, and exploring management strategies for the North Rupununi Wetlands. This collaboration exemplifies the EPA’s commitment to land restoration and preservation.
In this spirit of partnership, we urge the public to remember that, together, we can make a difference and preserve our planet for future generations. The environment is everyone’s responsibility. In line with this year’s World Environment Day theme, let’s do our part to restore our land and promote drought resilience throughout Guyana.
The Environmental Protection Agency, as part of the celebration of World Environment Day and its 28th Anniversary, hosted the Green Walk on June 2nd, 2024 in Regions 2, 4, 6 and 7. This was done with the aim to strengthen the Agency’s presence within those regions. The Agency will continue that trajectory as we conduct our monthly visits in those regions.
EPA also held its “Green Theatre 2″, a theatrical production that was performed for a diverse audience, which included members of Government, the Diplomatic Corps, Heads of Agencies, non-governmental organizations, and schools from across the country. The audience was treated to a production of drama, dance and poetry that provided a better understanding of the crucial role and importance of environmental protection.
You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN; or email us at: [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
