United Nations, Jun 6 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a better protection of the Earth on the World Environment Day.

"Humanity continues to consume far more natural resources than the planet can sustainably provide.

"Many of the Earth's ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points. It is time for us to change," said Ban in a message, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Let us think about the environmental consequences of the choices we make. Let us become better stewards of our planet."

The goal of sustainable development is to increase the quality of life for all people without increasing environmental degradation, and without compromising the resource needs of future generations, said Ban.

"We can do this by shifting our consumption patterns towards goods that use less energy, water and other resources, and by wasting less food," he added.

The World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.