It’s imperative for the world to step up its commitment to sustainability as we reel from conflict, hunger, inequality and climate change.
As part of our special programming on sustainability, we have spent several days looking at the role of leaders and entrepreneurs, students and activists, individuals and governments.
Our final show examines the daunting challenges we face and the solutions we must embrace. We begin with keynote speech from Marco Lambertini, Executive Director of World Wildlife Fund International, who warns about the rapid loss of habitat and urges the world to change consumption patterns.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, emphasizes the need to aggressively fund renewable energy around the world. Costa Rica’s Andrea Mesa Murillo, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, talks about her country’s success in tackling deforestation.
Other speakers include Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó who emphasizes the need for balance between environmental protection and economic competition. Colombia’s vice-minister of environment Sandra Villardy highlights Colombia’s cooperation with China on protecting biodiversity.
Analysts and experts then discuss key issues including a historic deal by nearly 200 countries at COP 15 to protect a third of the planet for animals and wild plants by 2030.
We end the special show with a clarion call to action. We urge the world’s media to join us as part of a global alliance to produce compelling programming to underline the dangers we all face.
We call for dramatically increasing coverage of issues such as food insecurity, education, women’s rights, and climate change. We have to make sure that the voices of young people are heard. We must call on corporations to embrace green technology, for innovators to push the boundaries of science and technology. Individuals must do their bit – plant trees, recycle, and support sustainable products.
As global media, we will commit to working with global organizations to realize the goals of sustainable development. We want to raise awareness, demand accountability, and report without fear or favor.
The special program is followed by the premiere of the documentary: Sustainable in Africa. It looks at desertification, considered to be the greatest environmental threat to the African continent.
“Global Action Initiative 2022” special programs air from December 15-20, starting at 2300 GMT.
