UN chief calls for better protection of Earth

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Friday made a special appeal, calling for better protection of the Earth on the World Environment Day which fell on June 5.

"Humanity continues to consume far more natural resources than the planet can sustainably provide. Many of the Earth's ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points. It is time for us to change," said Ban in a message on this year's world day under the theme " Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care."

"Let us think about the environmental consequences of the choices we make. Let us become better stewards of our planet," said Ban.

The goal of sustainable development is to increase the quality of life for all people without increasing environmental degradation, and without compromising the resource needs of future generations, said Ban.

"We can do this by shifting our consumption patterns towards goods that use less energy, water and other resources, and by wasting less food," Ban said.

This year marks the end of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The post-2015 development agenda, also known as Sustainable Development Goals, will be a very important one for the humanity, which will target years till 2030. Also in December of this year, a climate deal is expected to take shape in Paris.

"In this year of transformation, when we hope to see great advances on sustainable development and climate change, let us celebrate World Environment Day by becoming more conscious of our ecological impact," said Ban.

The World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.