Today is International Mother Earth Day.  It is a chance to reflect on how humanity has been treating our planet.

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The truth is, we have been poor custodians of our fragile home. Today, the Earth is facing a triple planetary crisis.

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Climate disruption. Nature and biodiversity loss. Pollution and waste.

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This triple crisis is threatening the well-being and survival of millions of people around the world.

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The building blocks of happy, healthy lives -- clean water, fresh air, a stable and predictable climate -- are in disarray, putting the Sustainable Development Goals in jeopardy.

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But there is still hope.

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Fifty years ago, the world came together for the Stockholm Conference. It was the start of the global environmental movement.

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Since then, we have seen what is possible when we act as one. 

 

We have shrunk the ozone hole.

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We have expanded protections for wild life and ecosystems.

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We have ended the use of leaded fuel, preventing millions of premature deaths.

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And just last month, we launched a landmark global effort to prevent and end plastic pollution.

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We have proven that together, we can tackle monumental challenges.

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And the right to a healthy environment is gaining traction. But we need to do much more. And much faster. Especially to avert climate catastrophe.

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We must limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. We are far off track.

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To keep 1.5 alive, governments must have cut emissions by 45 per cent by 2030, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.;

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Main emitters must drastically cut emissions starting this year.

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This means accelerating the end of our fossil fuel addiction.

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And speeding the deployment of clean renewable energy.

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At the same time we must invest rapidly in adaptation and resilience, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable who have contributed least to the crisis.

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In June, the world will gather once again in Sweden for the Stockholm+50 meeting.

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Let us make sure our leaders bring the ambition and action needed to address our triple planetary emergency.

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Because we have only one Mother Earth. We must do everything we can to protect her.