World Environment Day - 5th June 2022

World Environment Day 2022

World Environment Day 2022 is almost upon us, Sunday 5th June 2022. The day is celebrated annually and promoted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

For centuries we have lived in harmony with the planet we inhabit, but unfortunately we have shifted that balance, exploiting the planet for products and wealth and potentially creating a climate catastrophe and pushing species to extinction. We continue to pollute our land, our seas and the air we breathe. But, the global family has worked together before to alleviate problems which we have created, we helped to repair the ozone layer and have cut down on dangerous pollutants, so perhaps we can work together again.

The Day strives to increase awareness and bring to the front of our minds, that there is only one earth and we, as it’s inhabitants, need to protect the natural environment and live sustainably and in harmony with nature.

Our planet faces on number of serious challenges, primarily, Climate Change, Nature & Biodiversity Loss and Pollution & Waste. We have heatwaves, droughts, floods, wildfires, polluted air, plastic on land and in the seas and of course wars. In some parts of the world overgrazing and deforestation for firewood has lead to an increase in localised flooding and landslides. Communities with these types of problems can now find funding from various sources around the world to support replanting native trees, restoring vegetation cover and improving soil stability. Events are being run throughout the world to bring people together to spread the message of sustainable living. Projects to clear forests from invasive, non-indigenous plants & weeds continue. The removal non-indigenous plants will help rewild forests with indigenous plants and trees.

People can share their own impact on the earth with the world and give inspiration to others to start their own sustainable living journey. Major cities across the globe are holding events, for instance City Hall in the iconic UNESCO protected Grand Place in Brussels is to be illuminated in green to celebrate World Environment Day.

But there are measures we all can consider to start our own sustainable living journeys;

• Ditch the car, have Car-Free days and maybe walk, cycle, use shared transport or use public transport instead (not always easy in rural areas but worth a try).
• Plastic free shopping (choosing items which are not packaged in single use plastics).
• Cut down on carbon fuels used in the home and workplace and choose clean energy/renewable options (a hot topic at the moment given high energy prices).
• Insulate our homes and encourage our businesses to increase energy efficiency.
• Use Climate-Responsible finance (only engage with financial institutions that are aligned with the Paris Agreement objective of limiting global warming to 1.5degC and align to the upcoming Biodiversity Framework).
• Encourage our politicians to see beyond the immediate election cycles and to see the benefits of longer term planning for a sustainable future.
• Recycle or re-use the things we buy and use.
• Make sustainable customer choices when making purchases on food, clothing and services and buy recyclable rather than disposable.
• Enjoy journeys, enjoy life and experiences but try and choose those without a heavy environmental footprint.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Clean Seas campaign recently hosted an online panel discussion bringing together "Clean Seas" partners who have the same mission and values for campaigning around the world on this topic.

The action doesn’t just stop on issues surrounding our planet after the 5th June 2022, the "International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies" on 7th September 2022 aims to further raise awareness and mobilise global action on air pollution across the world.

So, why not try being more sustainable for a week and see what changes you can make to your own environment, help those around you and across the globe, it might be easier than you think. After a week, try it for a month. After a month, try it for... And so your journey begins into a more sustainable life.

We have #OnlyOneEarth. Let’s take care of it.

#OnlyOneEarth

Richard Forrester - Senior Technician[email protected]