An international webinar on the theme of “Ecosystem Restoration” was organized in connection with World Environment Day by Caritas India on Saturday, the 5th of June 2021.

Many eminent speakers including Ms. Archana Soreng, Member UN Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, Prabhjot Sodhi, Former Country Program Manager, Global Environment Facility- SGP of UNDP, CEE and Mr. Karam Abi Yazbeck, the Regional Coordinator for Caritas Middle East and North Africa spoke on the occasion.

World Environment Day calls for urgent action to revive our damaged ecosystem. The webinar aims to generate actions to save the ecosystem by redefining the interaction between the living organisms with its surrounding.

Addressing the webinar, Fr (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India said that through this webinar, we are going to understand sustainable ways of living and addressing questions like what it would look like if we emerged from this pandemic with a fierce new commitment to take care of the mother nature. He said the idea of conserving the ecosystem has started gaining momentum due to multifaceted environmental issues and challenges. It is high time to discuss, plan and implement actions towards resetting our relationship with Nature. Environmental degradation due to human interactions with nature is on the rise during the last few years.

Fr. Paul Moonjely, Executive Director, Caritas India shared about the concept of Prakruthi, Vikruthi and Samskruthi. He explained Prakruti is nature and Vikruthi is the status of misusing nature resulting in disasters and other emergencies which we face on a day-to-day basis. Whereas Samskruthi is a status when we make use of nature, the assets of nature are leading to a new culture of preserving, conserving and better use and that is why we become the custodian of nature. The message clearly states to follow Prakruthi of Samskruthi and Samskruthi of Prakruthi.  He said the webinar “resetting our relationship with Nature” is highly relevant in the present context.

Anything that we get free of cost is not valued. This is the best time to value the presence and value of nature and species of nature, biodiversity etc. This is nothing but a responsibility rather than a commitment in terms of protecting and conserving nature.

Expressing her views at the webinar, Ms. Archana Soreng spoke on Youth and Climate Action. She said that ecosystem restoration measures to be included in the education curriculum. She has highlighted the six-carbon positive actions proposed by UN Secretary-General such as investing in green jobs, not bailing out of polluting industries, end fossil fuel subsidies, the climate in all decisions, work together for climate action, and leave no one behind. She said we all are leaders of ecosystem restoration and we all can contribute a lot to Ecosystem restoration by involving youth.

Mr . Prabhjot Sodhi started his speech on the waste management ecosystem and the issues of consumption and production system. He said, “Land, air, water, and other resources are interrelated and pollution of all these resources is affecting us and hence systematic recycling is required. Interconnectedness is important in waste management, wherein a circular system needs to be looked into, not the use and throw culture. We need to pledge that we do not mix wastes, especially hazardous waste which will affect those poor people who segregate. In a circular system, we need to have judicious use of resources and take responsibility in using resources.”

On the occasion, Mr. Karam Abi Yazbeck informed that increased degradation of production base and the imbalance in the land-water-plant-human-animal system is leading to ecological imbalance and economic insecurity. He said, during the lockdown, there was a great chance for nature to revive.

We need to create a healthy ecosystem, where our guests, the birds, and mammals, live together in total harmony, which will provide us with a better environment, with no room for the spread of diseases. Emphasizing the need for re-setting the lost equation, he insisted to bring the diseased earth back to its state of harmony and peace.

The webinar drew many good learning and actionable points for the organisation to imbibe and integrate for building back better the whole ecosystem.