What is the Theme for World Environment Day 2020?

We celebrate World Environment Day on June 5 every year. The Environment is precious to us. In it we have the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink! It is only logical to take care of our environment so that it can remain in a healthy state for us and our future generations.

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“The environment is precious to us. In it we have the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink! It is only logical to take care of it so that it can remain in a healthy state for us and future generations.”

What is the Theme for World Environment Day 2020?

The United Nations set aside this day to encourage more awareness of our environment. The first World Environment day was held in 1972 and since then, several issues on environment have been raised and over 140 countries celebrate WED every year! Issues such as the growing waste problem, marine pollution, overpopulation. Every year there is a theme for World Environment Day and this year’s theme is “Biodiversity”.

The word Biodiversity simply refers to variety of life on earth. This includes plants, animals and microorganisms and their relationship to each other. This year’s host nation of World Environment Day is Columbia. This year a lot of events are virtual due to the global pandemic and we’ve been told to stay home.

Observations from the ongoing pandemic

So far, this pandemic has shown that nature can be so beautiful again. Since majority are probably working from home, air pollution has reduced and animals are coming out of their hiding spots. In the news, there have been reports of sightings of the beaver, the black bear and even a fox in Canada! This just proves that life could be so much better – but… only if we protect the environment!

13 Ways to Protect The Environment

There are numerous ways we can preserve the earth, protect and conserve biodiversity and here are some ways

1. Plant a Tree: Trees help clean the air, help save energy and help fight climate change. Trees also help provide oxygen and food!

2. Say no to chemicals: choose non-toxic cleaners for your home and workplace. That way, they don’t end up in our waterways.

3. Don’t shop on impulse: shop wisely. Try to make a list of things you need before you go shopping. Here is a tip…when you go shopping and you see something that;s not on your list or perhaps you forgot to add to your list, ask yourself if you really need it. If you don’t need it, there’s no point buying it! In other words…don’t buy more than you need.

4. Light bulbs that last long: say yes to long lasting energy efficient light bulbs and brighten your home, school or workplace! Not only that, once you’ve made that switch, do not forget to switch off the lights when not in use! Energy efficient light bulbs also help reduce green house gas emissions and save you money.

5. Water conservation is key: remember to turn off the faucet when not in use, especially when brushing or cooking. Less water usage will result in less waste water that ends up in our oceans! Limit water usage when doing the dishes.

6. Educate: furthering your own education and learning about climate change and the environment will help you understand how important it is to preserve the earth and our natural resources.

7. Volunteer: get involved by volunteering in your community for cleanup events and other environmental outreach activities.

8. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: This will help minimize what you throw away. For example, get a reusable container and buy in bulk. Did you know that a lot of coffee shops offer some discount when you bring your own mug? This really is a win-win for you and the environment since you also get to save some money and protect the earth.

a. Reusable bags: Using a reusable bag is beneficial to the environment. Always have reusable bags handy. Keep one in your backpack or handbag, that way you always have them on you.

b. Recycle: ensure you keep recyclables out of landfill by using appropriate bins. Never throwing materials meant for recycling in the trash can. If you are not sure what needs to be recycled contact the department responsible for waste pick up in your area and they will be happy to help.

9. Drive less: walk or bike more often and try to drive less, especially if your school or workplace is not far from your home. . Cars cause a lot of harm to the environment. You can also take public transportation. If you really have to drive, carpool with your colleagues and take turns. This is great for our environment and also cheaper than everyone driving their own cars!

10. Reduce heat or airconditioning: try to reduce your airconditioning or heat. You can layer your clothes in early fall or open your windows, depending on the weather.

11. Print only when necessary: see if you can send documents electronically. If not, set your photocopier to make double-sided printing and encourage printing double-sided if you really have to. This way you reduce the amount of paper used.

12. Plant local flowers: do some research so you know which plants and vegetables you can grow in your area. These plants will help protect the biodiversity of your area.

13. Buy Local: shop local when possible. Also buying from your farmer’s market is a great way to ask questions important questions like, how the food was grown and what they are doing to protect plant and animal life.

Conclusion:

World Environment Day is truly a day of celebration for our planet Earth. It is a reminder that we need to be proactive and take the steps above to keep our planet safe, clean and healthy. Some celebrities, communities and organizations are already raising awareness.

The following points will help make the world we live in a better place:

  • Encouraging public transportation and expanding or upgrading the existing system will help improve our lives.
  • Making workplaces, homes and schools more energy efficient.
  • Deforestation destroys the habitats of plants and animals; putting an end to this will protect biodiversity and increase food production.

We as individuals can also spread this message and encourage people around us to take positive environmental steps one at a time. You can see how WWF is celebrating World Environment Day.

You can show your family and friends how you are taking care of the earth. Spread the word among family and friends, your neighborhood, community, school and workplace. Together we can do this by taking steps to preserve our home planet earth; after all its the only home we’ve got! To celebrate World Environment day, here are 5 awesome movies  you can watch.

Also, Monday June 8 is World Oceans day. Usually, the day is celebrated by launching initiatives. There are usually wonderful events at aquariums.

Image by Sergei Tokmakov, Esq. from Pixabay

Organizations and communities organise cleanups around beaches. Sustainable sea food events and film festivals are also great ways this important day is marked but this year, things may be a bit different since most events now take place online. A great movie I recommend for World Oceans Day is A plastic Ocean on Netflix. The movie reveals the causes of plastic pollution and solutions.

I hope you found this post helpful. Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you. Thank you.

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