Forests, grasslands, wetlands, and mountains are more than just beautiful landscapes—they are life-support systems. Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15) aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt biodiversity loss, and reverse land degradation.

Every minute, we lose an area of forest equivalent to 27 football fields. Deforestation, driven by agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development, destroys critical habitats, contributes to climate change, and threatens indigenous peoples’ land and rights. Forests are home to more than 80% of terrestrial species and serve as vital carbon sinks that regulate our atmosphere.

Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. Over one million species are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, and overexploitation. When ecosystems are disrupted, food systems, water supplies, and health services all suffer. Biodiversity is not just about wildlife—it’s about the stability and resilience of all life on Earth, including ours.

Land degradation affects over 3 billion people, particularly in dryland areas where desertification threatens agriculture and food security. Unsustainable land use practices deplete soil, reduce productivity, and drive migration and conflict.

SDG 15 supports reforestation, afforestation, and the protection of natural habitats. Conservation efforts, including protected areas and community-led stewardship, are crucial. But protecting life on land also means reforming agricultural practices, supporting indigenous land rights, and ending illegal wildlife trade.

Nature-based solutions are gaining traction: planting trees, restoring wetlands, and managing landscapes sustainably can mitigate climate change, improve water quality, and enhance biodiversity. However, these must be implemented responsibly, ensuring benefits for both nature and people.

Global cooperation, funding, and science-based policies are essential. We need to shift from exploitation to restoration—because when we take care of nature, nature takes care of us.