UN chief urges governments, business to step up action to protect nature

(United Nations News) Governments and the private sector must move to effectively protect the natural environment, Secretary-General António Guterres told journalists covering the UN biodiversity conference, COP15, in Montréal, Canada, on Wednesday. 

“Ecosystems have become playthings of profit. Human activities are laying waste to once-thriving forests, jungles, farmland, oceans, rivers, seas and lakes,” he said. ‘

“Humanity’s war on nature is ultimately a war on ourselves.” 

The UN chief was speaking on the sidelines of the conference, which is expected to set new goals for nature over the next decade.  

He recalled that a million species are at risk of extinction. 

“We need governments to develop ambitious national action plans that protect and preserve our natural gifts, and put our planet on a path to healing,” said Mr. Guterres. 

Read more at: United Nations News