“Our Future” highlights the critical role of youth in addressing biodiversity loss and ecosystem restoration. This echoes the ambitions of the Pact of the Future, adopted at the UN’s 2024 Summit of the Future, which committed to taking future generations into account during policy decisions and decision making.
The report synthesizes survey findings from individuals 30 years and younger who have used CEE’s “Values, Culture and Spirituality: Ecosystems Restoration Conversation Guide” to initiate local conversations and restoration projects. Consultations were held throughout the world, including the Latin America and Caribbean region: Venezuela (22%), Brazil (22%), Guatemala (11%), Panama (11%), India (6%), Tanzania (6%), Argentina (6%), Ecuador (6%), Honduras (6%), Mexico (6%).
Ecosystem restoration is defined by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as, “the process of halting and reversing degradation, resulting in improved ecosystem services and recovered biodiversity.” Survey respondents were asked to describe what ecosystem restoration means to them. A few responses included: