World Environment Day: A global call to protect our planet

Earth Day, World Ocean Day, World Environment Day, and the list goes on… There’s so many days in relation to the environment, but they all sing the same tune - which is to conserve our planet Earth.

Speaking of which, did you know it’s World Environment Day today? Let us take a moment to think about what the day stands for, and what each of us can do to play a part in conserving the beautiful planet we live in.

When is World Environment Day and what does it mean?

World Environment Day is a day led by the United Nations Environment Programme, and has been celebrated annually on 5 June since 1973 to date. It is dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging global action for the protection and preservation of our environment, and serves as a reminder of the crucial role each of us can play in creating a sustainable future.

With a focus on bringing about positive change, World Environment Day offers an opportunity for people from all corners of the world to come together and take meaningful steps towards mitigating environmental challenges.

The importance of World Environment Day

World Environment Day holds immense significance as it highlights the urgency of addressing environmental issues that threaten our planet's well-being. It serves as a platform to highlight pressing concerns such as climate change, deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss. By emphasising the importance of collective action, the day encourages governments, organisations, and individuals to take concrete steps towards sustainability.

How is World Environment Day celebrated globally?

The day is commemorated globally through various activities and events, which can range from tree-planting drives, clean-up campaigns, and nature walks to eco-friendly workshops, seminars, and conferences. Additionally, educational institutions, governments, and non-governmental organisations organise awareness campaigns to engage their communities in discussions on environmental preservation. World Environment Day also witnesses the launch of environmental initiatives, policy changes, and sustainable projects to address local and global environmental challenges.

So how does World Environment Day differ from Earth Day?

While both days share a common goal of environmental conservation, they differ in their focus and approach. Earth Day, celebrated annually on 22 April, aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. On the other hand, World Environment Day strives to drive global action and encourage tangible efforts towards environmental protection. It serves as a catalyst for governments, businesses, and individuals to take immediate steps, fostering a sense of urgency to address the pressing challenges our planet faces.

How can we play our part?

You might be wondering how you can play your part to conserve our environment, be it today or in your day-to-day life. Here are some simple yet impactful measures that your child and you can do at home or when school reopens:

Conserve energy

• Encourage the use of energy-efficient appliances that use less energy in general.
• Make sure you turn off all lights and electronics when they’re not in use, such as your air-conditioner, fan, phone chargers, and more.
• The weather has been blazing lately and we know it. Take this opportunity to use the sunlight as natural lighting instead of using your own lights.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

• Reduce waste through active recycling and reusing items such as water bottles, bags, and notebooks.

Promote sustainable transportation

• Walk, cycle, or carpool as alternatives to private vehicles. Raise awareness about the environmental benefits of taking public transport.

Adopt eco-friendly habits

• Use more eco-friendly products such as reusable water bottles, biodegradable utensils, and environmentally friendly cleaning supplies.

Wrapping up

World Environment Day serves as a powerful reminder that the responsibility to protect our planet rests on the shoulders of each of us. By actively participating in this global movement, we can make a significant impact in preserving our environment for future generations. By implementing simple measures at home or in school, we can contribute to a more sustainable world.

Let us use World Environment Day as a call to action, to inspire change, and to build a brighter future for our planet!