WWF calls for making fresh start for wildlife, people

By Zeynep Rakipoglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Wildlife NGO on Thursday called for making a fresh start for nature and people post-COVID-19.

Before crises such as climate change, habitat loss and extinction of species become deeper, we need to make a new start for nature and human, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Turkey said in a statement, ahead of World Environment Day.

Climate crisis and biodiversity loss demand coordinated actions like those taken for COVID-19 as human health relies on healthy nature and wildlife, WWF Turkey said in the statement.

Mentioning that economic, social and cultural life based on ecological values provided by nature, Ugur Bayar, head of WWF Turkey, said that the world needs to shift to "green recovery".

He added that there is a need for shifting from harmful investments to sustainable production and green economy as well as prioritizing sustainable investments such as renewable energy.

Organized by the UN Environment Program, World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 in over 100 countries, to encourage global awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

The theme of this year's day is "Time for Nature" which focuses on the role of nature in providing the key infrastructure that supports sustainable life on the planet.