World Environment Day: Consume With Care

356

Every year United Nations celebrates World Environment Day (WED) on the 5th of June to encourage the world about protecting the environment. On this day, people are made aware of how the environment is endangered by the population growth and economic development.

This day is also known as “People’s Day” where many stakeholders and people in over 100 countries are approached to celebrate this day, as well as contribute their efforts in bringing an optimistic change to the environment.

It has become a great matter of concern to the Earth’s ecosystems that the natural reserves of the Earth are being reduced. This is mostly due to economic growth and the ever increasing growth in population. It is estimated that by 2050 we will be needing 3 planets to survive and maintain our ways of living, if these irreversible changes keep taking place and with the rising population expected to go up to 9.6 billion.

Every year, the United Nations sets a designated theme. This year’s World Environmental Day theme is “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.” The well-being of humanity, our environment and functioning of the economy, immensely relies on the responsible management of Earth’s Natural Resources.

On this day, each year, according to the set themes, volunteers have focused on certain environmental day activities, such as:

  • Forest management, to reduce greenhouse gases and Low Carbon Economy (low-fossil-fuel economy) to prevent the negative impact on the world’s climate. At this stage we need to regulate the earth’s environment by using eco-friendly, methods of using energy productions by reducing the mining and burning of fossil fuels.
  • Creating awareness for individuals to opt for public transports to reduce the traffic and pollution, which release harmful gases, and which are immensely affecting the environment and human health.
  • To give out eco-friendly products such as make-up, eco-friendly bags, light bulbs and may other products that can be consumed without harming the environment. A moderately new way which has been devised to make environmental issues popular is through eco-friendly online games.
  • Informing people about the various food choices they should make in order to prevent the wastage of food all around the world to reduce the ecological impact due to the worldwide production of food.
  • Presentations are given by local and international organizations in the areas of food, shelter, energy, Friends of  education, transport and public awareness.

Overpopulation and industrial waste disposal is to blame for not having access to clean water. It has been said that by 2050, two thirds of the world’s population will have inadequate access to clean water if this matter is not controlled.

During the WED celebrations, people get a chance to share their ideas and to engage in activities such as planting a tree to sustain the green environment. Schools educate and motivate students from a very young age by involving them in such activities so that they grow up to maintain their surrounding environment and keep it cleaner, greener and brighter.

There are many other very interesting activities on WED that include street rallies and parades, concerts, clean up campaigns, beach clean ups, providing information on consuming solar power energy, encouraging people to wear soft earthy colors to support the eco-friendly environment, and emphasizing on recycling products rather than disposing them away. This is all in the hopes to retain the natural environment and resources.

The media and many celebrities endorse and actively take part in influencing people to prevent the harmful climatic changes on this beautiful earth. These changes affect the overall weather, melt polar ice caps, new diseases are likely to occur, and certain plants which are necessary for human survival undergo permanent decrease in their growth

However, once again United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on World Environmental Day (WED), is encouraging people to maintain a good living within the planetary boundaries and implementing a strategy for ensuring a healthy future.

Top

Comments
Loading...