( CNN ) -- `` We are reaching the tipping point and the tipping point according to most scientists will be in less than 10 years . We do n't have much time , '' says human rights and environmental campaigner , Bianca Jagger . At the Rio+20 Earth Summit , the former actress and model is hoping to speed up climate action by supporting `` Plant a Pledge , '' a campaign to promote the Bonn Challenge -- a global initiative to restore 150 million hectares ( an area almost three times the size of France ) of degraded land by 2020 . `` It 's a project that will bring concrete and tangible change to people , to the environment and to the economy and will make a difference to the way we are tackling the issue of climate change , '' says Jagger . The Bonn Challenge was launched in September last year with the aim of helping achieve the goals of the United Nations REDD+ program and Target 15 ( there are 20 in total ) of the Convention on Biological Diversity , which was signed by 150 governments at the first Rio Earth Summit in 1992 . Organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) in association with European aerospace company , Airbus , `` Plant a Pledge '' is urging governments , businesses and environmental experts to help create what is being billed as the world 's biggest restoration project . `` Just think about transforming a landscape that is barren to a landscape where you will be able to make the land fertile , where it can be sustainable , where agriculture can come back , where people can benefit , '' she said . If fully implemented , the Bonn Challenge could inject more than $ 80 billion into local and global economies , according to the IUCN . It could also cut the emission reductions gap by up to 17 % , the IUCN says . Scientists estimate that carbon dioxide emissions need to be restricted to 44 gigatons annually by 2020 to prevent global temperatures rising above two degrees Celsius ( 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit ) during the 21st century . Current predictions suggest that limit will be exceeded by nine gigatons , according to the U.N. Jagger and the IUCN 's efforts were rewarded at the Rio+20 this week with commitments from the U.S. government , Rwanda , Brazil and indigenous groups from Mesoamerica to restore more than 18 million hectares of forest . The U.S. will restore the lion 's share of that number , pledging to re-plant 15 million hectares of land . `` Many governments are already convinced this will bring financial benefits for their country and they know we will be tackling the issue of food security , we will be improving water sources , '' Jagger said . `` At the same time , I see a lot of governments do n't seem to fully understand the threat of climate change and they use the excuse we are living through an economic crisis or a difficult time to not do what is necessary , '' she said . `` We need to do it now , or we will all either live and survive together or we will all perish together . I do n't think I am being alarmist . We need to make a difference and we as individuals can make that difference . '' A veteran of the first Earth Summit , Jagger watched the Kyoto Protocol being born , but she fears for its future . The agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions adopted in 1997 is due to expire in December with `` no promises in sight , '' she says . `` There is so much we still need to do . Climate change is a reality and we are not doing enough for our planet , for our children , for future generations , '' she said . `` I wish there were more legally binding treaties that are for signature , especially as we go to Rio , but perhaps something will come out that is positive , I hope . ''
Environmental campaigner Bianca Jagger throws weight behind initiative to restore barren land to forest . The environmental group , IUCN enlists Jagger to promote Plant a Pledge campaign in support of Bonn ##er . IUCN receive commitment from Brazilian government at present to restore 15 million hectares of forest . IUCN says that there are ` ` no promises in sight '' after Kyoto Protocol expires in December 2012 .