Every year on 28 July, people around the world celebrate World Nature Conservation Day. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of conserving our planet's natural resources and biodiversity. With a growing concern for the environment and its fragile ecosystems, this annual celebration aims at raising awareness and inspiring action towards nature conservation.
The primary goal of World Nature Conservation Day is to promote sustainable practices and encourage individuals, communities and governments to take steps towards preserving and protecting our natural environment for future generations. It serves as a call to action to address issues such as deforestation, wildlife poaching, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction. By highlighting the significance of nature conservation, this day seeks to foster a sense of responsibility and inspire positive change.
The European Union has committed itself to environmental conservation by promoting and implementing nature preservation strategies to safeguard its rich biodiversity. For instance, the Natura 2000 network is a flagship EU conservation program that aims at protecting and managing important habitats and species across all 27 member states. With over 27,000 sites covering more than 18% of the EU's land area and around 9% of surrounding seas, Natura 2000 is the world's largest coordinated network of protected areas. Additionally, the EU has set ambitious targets to combat climate change, such as the European Green Deal and the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy. These initiatives focus on transitioning to a sustainable, carbon-neutral economy while ensuring the protection and restoration of ecosystems.
If you want to know more about this topic and practise your interpreting skills, we encourage you to have a look at the Speech Repository’s Climate, Environment and Sustainable development sections.