Earth Day: Guterres demands climate action to mitigate biodiversity loss

António Guterres, the United Nations (UN) secretary-general, has appealed to everyone to protect the planet from pollution and biodiversity loss.

In a video message to commemorate Earth Day on Monday, Guterres said everyone should unite to rescue the planet from climate change. 

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 annually. It is a day set aside by the UN to raise awareness on the need to protect the planet by transitioning to cleaner energy. 

This year’s theme — ‘Planet Vs Plastics’ — implores nations to adopt policies to curb plastic pollution.

In his message, Guterres said all hands must be on deck to rescue “our planet and mobilise for climate action”.

“On Earth day we must stand for our planet, a planet threatened by climate change, by pollution, by biodiversity loss,” Guterres said.

“A planet that needs to be rescued. So we must unite and we must mobilise all of our efforts for climate action to protect biodiversity and to support all those, namely the indigenous communities that are teaching us how to take care of planet earth.”