Why there is need of connecting people to nature

By Davis Akampurira
 The well-being of both humankind and environment depend on the responsible management of the planet's natural resources. Many of the Earth's ecosystems are on the verge of critical tipping points of diminution or irremediable change, pushed by high population growth and economic development.

By 2050, if current consumption and production patterns remain the same and with a rising population expected to reach 9.6 billion, we will need three planets to sustain our ways of living and consumption.

 The natural environment has a direct effect on young people's wellbeing. It must be maintained for the present and next generations. The friendly use of natural resources and environmentally sustainable development will help to improve young people's life. Maintaining the environmental integrity is the responsibility of every individual within the society.

 The World Environment Day is a big annual celebration started by the United Nations General Assembly to engage millions of people from different countries across the globe as well as draw attention of political and health organisations to implement some effective actions. It started celebrating as an annual event on every June 5, since 1973 in order to raise the global awareness about the importance of healthy and green environment in human lives.

 The World Environment Day observance is being developed by governments to achieve the following objectives: to expand knowledge among the youth on the importance of protecting our environment, promote proper utilisation of our wildlife resources, encourage positive practices geared towards the protection of our environment and raise awareness of the way in which our day to day practices impact our environment.

 ‘Connecting People to Nature', the theme for World Environment Day 2017, implores us to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share.

We, encourage worldwide awareness and action for the environment and a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders .Governments should recognise the critical stage of our planet and emphasise on the role that young people and youth leaders could play, to achieve environmental sustainability by highlighting their role and concerns towards environmental affairs, as it is now their time and opportunity to act and declare that yes, they do care!
 Happy World Environment Day!

The writer is the Team leader Africa Leadership Awards /Youth Activist