Niagara College’s associate dean of Environment and Horticulture, Al Unwin, is part of select group of environment experts and professionals from around the world who are helping to share the next decade of the United Nation’s climate change strategy.
Earlier this year, the United Nations declared the decade of 2021 to 2030 the decade of ecosystem restoration. The initiative aims to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems in order to combat climate change and enhance food security, water supply and biodiversity. The UN estimates that the restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded land between now and 2030 could eliminate up to 26 gigatons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Unwin, who in addition to his role at Niagara College, is past chair of the International Board of Directors for the Society of Ecological Restoration, was at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, where on Sept. 28, he participated in the Global Landscapes Forum. The forum is a global consultation in the run-up to the official launch of The UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The meeting defined the land and seascapes the world needs to restore to a sustainable state, and launched a global movement that will restore up to 2 billion hectares of degraded ecosystems and achieve the UN’s goals.
Excited to be here @GlobalLF forum in NYC on #restorationdecade @SERestoration network of scientists and practitioners will be critical to accomplishing @UNBiodiversity goals and targets and part of nature based solutions to address #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis @niagaracollege pic.twitter.com/rydizgVfsN
— Alan J. Unwin (@alunwin) September 28, 2019
Unwin has also been named a Global Restoration Ambassador by the Society for Ecological Restoration, giving him an added role in advocating for the organization and the important work needed to address the climate emergency the planet is presently facing.
“Ecosystem restoration is broadly seen as a critically important tool in our efforts in regards to climate change and the rapid decline in biodiversity that can have permanent and lasting impacts on humankind” said Unwin. “As has been witnessed over the past few days with the youth-lead climate strikes around the world, the time for global action is now. I am hoping to represent SER as their Global Restoration Ambassador and Niagara College in advising the UN on what steps needs to be taken to achieve the goals that are created as we head towards the UN decade on Ecosystem Restoration and to ensure all nations understand what substantial financial investments will need to be made for the required work to be achieved.”
Autumn Pelletier sharing her experience and story living on manatoulin island here @GlobalLF forum. Makes the work @swimdrinkfish even more important @SERestoration as well. #restorationdecade @niagaracollege pic.twitter.com/Zw9xcAHBWV
— Alan J. Unwin (@alunwin) September 28, 2019
Niagara College will contribute to these goals by creating the highly trained skilled labour force needed to have this work done properly and according to best practices.
