Urgent call to save biodiversity

The Point with Liu Xin

"Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration." This rallying cry sets the stage for this year's World Environment Day on June 5, the UN's largest platform for environmental action. Hosted by Saudi Arabia, the 2024 celebrations focus on land restoration, combating desertification, and building drought resilience. The urgency is clear: nearly two million species, including beloved otters, face extinction. Shockingly, the U.S. is the only UN member state that hasn't ratified the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity, side-lining itself from vital global discussions. Meanwhile, other nations strive to meet ambitious biodiversity targets. What role should major nations play in this effort? How can global cooperation be strengthened to protect our environment? And what must be done to save our planet's precious biodiversity?