Make Peace With Nature Now

Context: Climate change, nature loss, and the pollution add up to a planetary emergency that will cause far more pain than COVID-19 in the long-term.

Challenges faced by nature

• Global warming: projected to be more than three °C this century - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Fall in per capita stock of natural capital: by 40% in just over two decades.
• High pollution levels: 9 out of 10 people breathe polluted air.

Way forward: to make the future sustainable

• Reverse the environmental decline: By following “Making Peace with Nature report” of the United Nations (UN), which provides a blueprint for a sustainable future.
• Tackle interlinked challenges: Like environmental, social and economic challenges. Valuing nature and putting it in the heart of all our decisions (related to society and economy) will result in:
  • A stop in financing fossil fuels by banks and investors.
  • Governments subsidising nature-positive farming and clean energy and water.
  • People prioritising health and well-being over consumption (shrinking environmental footprint)
• Nations should work proactively: By delivering stretched nationally determined contributions and kick-starting the transitions to net-zero (currently in 126 countries).
  • Better coordination between Nations needed – 
    • For creating rules for a global carbon trading market.
    • Providing financial support: Developed countries should provide $100 billion (as promised) to developing nations for coping with the impacts of climate change.
• Adopt circular economic systems: that will result in reuse resources, reduce emissions, weed out the chemicals and toxins, and create jobs. 
• Government should take the lead: in 
  • Invest in the right places: for smart and sustainable recovery.
  • Create opportunities for future industries that generate prosperity. 
  • Ensure fair and equitable transitions.
  • Allow people to participate in decision making.