The UN Environment Programme has named six recipients of the 2024 Champions of the Earth award, recognizing their exemplary leadership in addressing land degradation and environmental challenges. Laureates include Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples, initiatives promoting sustainable agriculture, and notable environmental activists from around the world. This award aims to honor efforts to restore ecosystems and promote sustainability amid increasing global degradation.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently announced the six recipients of the 2024 Champions of the Earth award during a ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya. Among the esteemed laureates are Brazil’s first-ever Minister of Indigenous Peoples and a sustainable agriculture initiative from Egypt. These individuals have been recognized for their exemplary leadership and initiatives aimed at combating land degradation, drought, and desertification. The award serves as the UN’s highest environmental accolade, celebrating both public and private sector efforts in ecology and sustainability.
The Champions of the Earth award, conferred annually since 2005, highlights trailblazers who contribute to ecological preservation. This year, emphasis was placed on champions actively engaged in restoring degraded land and enhancing resilience against drought. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen remarked on the alarming statistics, noting that nearly 40 percent of the world’s lands are degraded. However, she emphasized that solutions are available, and the efforts made by the 2024 Champions of the Earth exemplify the collective ability to restore ecosystems.
The honorees include Sonia Guajajara, recognized in the Policy Leadership category for her dedication to Indigenous rights and her successful preservation of Indigenous lands in Brazil. Amy Bowers Cordalis, an Indigenous rights advocate, and Gabriel Paun, an environmental defender from Romania, received accolades for their inspiring actions to restore natural ecosystems. Additionally, Chinese scientist Lu Qi was acknowledged for his contributions to combating land degradation through significant scientific projects. Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil was honored for his lifetime commitment to environmental research, while the SEKEM initiative was celebrated for advancing sustainable agricultural practices in Egypt.
With an estimated 3.2 billion people affected by desertification, UNEP’s initiative aligns with the 2021–2030 UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. This effort aims to mitigate ecosystem loss globally. The announcement of the Champions coincides with Human Rights Day and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification’s COP16 meeting in Riyadh.
The Champions of the Earth award embodies the United Nations’ commitment to fostering global environmental stewardship. Established in 2005, this prestigious recognition seeks to honor individuals and organizations making significant strides in ecological preservation through various means, including policy leadership, scientific innovation, and grassroots activism. With the increasing threats of land degradation and climate change, the work of these champions is more crucial than ever in promoting sustainable practices and restoration efforts.
The 2024 Champions of the Earth award highlights transformative leadership in the realm of environmental protection, spotlighting individuals and initiatives dedicated to combating pressing ecological challenges. The honorees represent a diverse array of efforts globally, from Indigenous land rights advocacy to innovative sustainable agriculture programs. This recognition not only celebrates their achievements but also serves as a beacon of hope for ongoing ecosystem restoration and resilience in the face of environmental adversity.
Original Source: news.un.org
