At times, it may feel like we will never be able to repair the damage we have done to the natural world. But that is not the case.

Restoration, both of land and water ecosystems, is a process that can, on a major scale, revive the natural world that supports every one of us. The benefits are many. Soil health is restored, supporting healthier food. Renewed treescapes can alter climates, restoring aquifers and cooling the land. Healthy mangroves on a shoreline restore nurseries for fish. These projects are already happening.

Ahead of World Environment Day on June 5, and the official launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Earth Institute at Columbia University is hosting a dialogue with scientists and policy experts on the goals of the decade and exploring specific paths to recovery, restoration and a thriving future.

This dialogue is part of the Sustain What conversation series and will be hosted by Dale Willman of the Columbia Climate School. You can explore all the episodes of the series here.

What: Designing a Decade of Restoration

When: June 4; 8 am EST New York

Where: Watch live on YouTube here or on the Earth Institute site here

The event will then take place in Spanish, with panellists from Spain and Latin America.

When: June 4; 1 pm EST

Where: Watch live on YouTube here

Get all the event details here

Keep up-to-date with official events ahead of World Environment Day on June 5 here. Learn more about the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration here. Check out UNEP’s Ecosystem Restoration Playbook to find out what needs to be done and follow #GenerationRestoration here.