World Environment Day

05 Jun 2024

The Resurgence Trust invites you to celebrate World Environment Day with a free digital copy of Resurgence & Ecologist magazine 'Hope and Enchantment', issue 342. The Resurgence Trust is committed to environmental education and offering accessible resources to all. Below, you can explore our free articles and enhance your understanding of climate change and land restoration this World Environment Day.

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World Environment Day is an annual invitation for communities around the world to engage in efforts to protect and restore the Earth. Held annually on 5 June, World Environment Day holds a global spotlight on climate issues - negotiating solutions and underscoring the necessity of an inclusive, 'whole-of-society' approach.

World Environment Day is a reminder that solutions are available to tackle the climate emergency and land degradation, but that we need stronger and more concerted action to reduce our carbon consumption and stop planetary exploitation.

In light of this year's environmental themes, The Resurgence Trust invites you to read our innovative and engaging articles on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.

Soil Carbon Challenges

Local initiatives address soil degradation and deforestation in the mountains of Mexico's Sierra Gorda. Esther Díaz Pérez explores how local initiatives like (GESGIAP) are working with local farmers to implement innovative solutions in soil restoration, infiltration canals, and fermented bio-fertilizers in a bottom-up approach to tackling climate change.

Soil: The Magic Ingredient

Satish Kumar talks to Andy Cato about the importance of soil to human survival. "Great food comes from great soil." He advocates for a pollution-free, waste-free, holistic approach to farming that is radically free from industrialised modes of farming and reports on a farm doing just that - demonstrating a model of healthy, ecological food production.

Desert Grain

Exploring potential solutions for drought and world hunger, Prof Jack Heinemann debates the efficacy of GM technology. Whilst useful, Jack highlights how the tech fails to address the underlying issues of food distribution and human behaviour. He suggests that traditional agricultural practices, such as precision irrigation and cover cropping, can improve water efficiency and yield without relying on GM technology.

To control flood - and drought - we must involve farmers

Exploring the significance of local farmers in the effective management of flood and drought, Colin Tudge reports on simple agricultural practices such as planting deep-rooting perennial plants that can significantly enhance resilience to extreme weather events. He emphases the importance of government leadership in implementing these changes.

Trees in Schools

Facing challenges in securing land for restoration, Andreas Kornevall recounts his journey turning schools into hubs for community engagement and tree restoration. Kornevall highlights the educational and ecological significance of tree planting, envisioning a future where communities unite to restore the Earth's biodiversity and combat deforestation.

Reconnecting Ecosystems by 2050

Sandra Piesik highlights the importance of recognising ecosystems as complex organisms and the implications of climate change for human health and biodiversity. She calls for a holistic approach to restore damaged landscapes, acknowledging the importance of technology, blockchain and AI along with indigenous knowledge systems and compassion.

The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac

Practical, optimistic and empowering, The Future We Choose is an urgent guide to managing the long-term effects of climate change through hands-on solutions and holistic thinking. A passionate call to action from former UN Executive Secretary for Climate Change and the senior political strategist for the Paris Agreement, The Future We Choose offers hope and guidance for the next generation.

Small World, Big Ideas edited by Satish Kumar

An anthology of stories from the most inspiring activists of our age, Small World, Big Ideas presents visions of a better world in an age of climate crisis. Collating the ideas, dreams and visions of environmentalists such as Greta Thunberg, Vandana Shiva and Caroline Lucas the collection guides readers toward individual climate action and encourages them to be the change that they wish to see.

Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture by Vandana Shiva

A synthesis of more than three decades of interdisciplinary research and practice, Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture provides evidence-based solutions to some of the world's most pressing crises in global ecology, agriculture and public health. Providing a detailed analysis of the planetary dilemmas we face due to water depletion and land degradation, this work serves as a guidebook for agriculture scientists, policy makers and environmentalists.

Image Credits

Trees for Schools - Photo by Eyoel Kahssay on Unsplash
Desert Grain- Photo by Vince Veras on Unsplash
Soil Carbon Challenges- Photo by Gabriel Jimenez on Unsplash
Soil the Magic Ingredient- Photograph by Sebastien Vaissiere
To Control Flood- Photo: John Bennett via Flickr
Reconnecting eco systems (Courtesy of Sweetch Energy/Image by European Space Agency)