Restoring ecosystems is key to human survival, says former UN official
The crises of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss stem from humanity’s severed relationship with nature, argues former United Nations official Tim Christophersen, who calls for treating ecosystems as vital infrastructure.
Rhett Ayers Butler reports for Mongabay.
In short:
- Christophersen, now working in the private sector after years at the UN Environment Programme, believes restoration efforts must be central to environmental policy and investment.
- His book Generation Restoration argues nature can recover quickly if given diversity and space, and that imagination is needed to counter generational amnesia about nature’s former abundance.
- He promotes ecosystem restoration as essential infrastructure — on par with roads and energy systems — and sees collaboration between public and private sectors as key to long-term climate resilience.
Key quote:
“... unlike in a human relationship, we cannot divorce from nature, because we cannot live without nature.”
— Tim Christophersen, former UN Environment Programme official
Why this matters:
Seeing ecosystems as infrastructure marks a profound shift in how societies might tackle climate change and public health threats. The degradation of forests, wetlands, and oceans accelerates disasters like floods, heatwaves, food shortages, and disease outbreaks. Yet science shows ecosystems can rebound if given room and resources. Restoring mangroves, for example, buffers coastlines and stores carbon. Rebuilding soil health on farms improves water retention and reduces pesticide use. These systems support not just wild species, but human well-being and economies.
Related: Restoring Ecuador’s páramos brings water and wildlife back to life
