‘Who will Protect Our Planet’
On 27th of February, 2024, the Universal Peace Federation UK (UPF-UK) convened an inspiring conference titled “Who Will Protect Our Planet?” at 43 Lancaster Gate, London. The event brought together environmental experts, faith leaders, youth activists, policymakers, and Ambassadors for Peace to address the urgent challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental sustainability. Discussions highlighted the moral responsibility shared by all—governments, civil society, faith communities, and individuals—to safeguard the Earth for future generations. Speakers emphasised the role of education, interfaith cooperation, and grassroots initiatives in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those linked to the environment, clean energy, and climate resilience.
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In an era where perspectives from academia, business, politics, and faith converge, it has become evident that the urgency to protect our planet is reaching critical levels. Despite the diverse views on who should shoulder this responsibility and the strategies to employ, there is a resounding consensus that the current pace of action falls short.
In this event we examined the multifaceted dimensions of the threats posed by pollution and climate change to the future of our planet and the well-being of generations to come. Expert voices below from various fields highlighted the issues and explored viable solutions to protect our planet.
Speaking:
Duchess Nivin ElGamal of Lamberton: UPF Patron - Impact of Plastic Pollution
Justina Mutale: "The Effects of Climate Change in Africa and How that Impacts the Planet".
Robin Marsh: Secretary General UPF - UK
Danny Lambo: The Self Made Multi – Millionaire, Reality TV Star, Singer, Actor, Hotel Owner, Investor, Fixer, Children’s Cancer Charity Patron.
Our first guest Otto Canon, emphasised the dangers of plastic pollution which is becoming an issue towards the environment on a macro level for sometime now. He added that he had lost his dog due to a plastic bottle lid stuck in his throat demonstrating the local level dangers of plastic. Canon requested all to say “not anymore” to protect our environment from plastic pollution and save us from climate change. Canon added, “plastic must be recycled before going to the ocean” to prevent the plastic micro-particle pollution as well as the detritus washing up on beaches around the world.
The other way to save our environment is to plant more trees. He has led volunteer campaigns in Nigeria and in the UK to plant trees. It’s important to note we have power to make a change like a drop of water which accumulates to become an ocean. We can’t wait for who, when and where the change will begin to save the planet. We have to be involved and make a difference ourselves.
Duchess Nivin ElGamal of Lamberton: UPF Patron - Impact of Plastic Pollution
Our second guest, Duchess Nivin stated, that “the money spent on wars can be spent on to save the children of this world and the environment from the rubbish thrown in the ocean”. War is killing our children but we lie to children that all is fine when the earth is getting destroyed by wars, which leads to climate change with the omissions effects. She expressed her concern that our descendants are going to suffer the consequences of our not taking care of the natural environment.
Justina Mutale: "The Effects of Climate Change in Africa and How that Impacts the Planet".
Our third guest, Justine Mutale stated that she was puzzled, “why so much is invested to reach Mars when the earth requires so much attention and care!"
She continued to say that we treat earth as we like by taking all its resources such as plants, trees, mineral and rivers. She remembered how pure the river water was in Zambia where she grew up. Now there are NGO's trying to clean up the pollution of rivers in different African nations. Chemical fertilisation and pestocides have damaged the soil and the rivers so she finds the agrarian situation unrecogisable when she returns home.
She has found that the air and land have become polluted in her native land but also in other areas of Africa. It has affected the future opportunities to grow crops on what used to be fertile land. It’s important to remind ourselves that “vandalising the air is vandalising the climate”. She believes it is a moment to think and consider what are we leaving for our children and generations to come in the name of “painted grains” to harvest and only collect more money while letting the environment suffer.
Robin Marsh: Secretary General UPF - UK
Towards the end of the event Robin Marsh Secretary General UPF stated, the planet has undergone significant changes in recent decades, manifesting in rising temperatures, increased incidents of floods and heavy rains, and alarming shifts in the environment and climate. While some regions are already grappling with the consequences, it is crucial to acknowledge that the entire world is affected. We only can solve our problems by clarifying our purpose of life. If we understand that purpose well and experience a divine presence in our lives other issues come to be in greater balance. The efforts to add the quality of flourishing to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) assessment of economies would better reflect the need for an inner quality of happiness and fulfilment that comes from living in balance with ourself, our families and the wider society within which we live and in balance with the natural world around us. When we practice a life of interdependence, mutual prosperity based on unversally shared values our life can find greater satisfaction and a deeper sense of meaning. Pollution and missuse of the environment will not happen in a world which has a deeper understanding of the purpose for which we live our lifes.
Ambassador for Peace Awards were given to Danny Lambo and Chaudhary Aurangzaib with their short speeches regarding their outstanding work in the community to support charities, Women empowerment and strengthen diversity to maintain peace on earth to save our planet and make it a better place to live.
Danny Lambo: The Self Made Multi – Millionaire, Reality TV Star, Singer, Actor, Hotel Owner, Investor, Fixer, Children’s Cancer Charity Patron.
Danny Lambo stated, “children must be protected to save our earth by appreciating the statement earlier by Duchess Niven regarding children, further he added dropping bombs on Gaza is a huge danger to the earth and climate issues so the world must unite to stop and protect our planet earth. Lambo also added he stood as the London Mayor candidate in 2020 with a project “Global Festival” under which people can learn and live together including London based High commissions to promote diversity which could help to protect our earth too. Lambo wasn’t able to work on this idea due to Covid but he plans to bring his dream to reality with UPF.