World Environment Day (June 5, 2020)

The foods we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the climate that makes our planet habitable all come from nature. For instance, each year, marine plants produce more than a half of our atmosphere's oxygen, and a mature tree cleans our air, absorbing 22 kilos of carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen in exchange. Despite all the benefits that our nature gives us, we still mistreat it. That is why we need to work on that. That is why we need this Observance.

Objectives and History

World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated every year on 5 June. It is the ‘United Nations’ prime vehicle for encouraging awareness and action to protect our environment. World Environment Day has become a global platform for public outreach, with more than 143 countries participating annually.  First organized in 1974, it has been a major campaign for environmental issues ranging from marine pollution, human overgrowth, and raising awareness about global warming, sustainable consumption, and wildlife crime.

World Environment Day can be celebrated in many ways; activities such as campaign clarification, sensitizing the locals about the growing environmental conditions and suggesting ways to prevent them, organizing plays, quizzes, tree plantations, lectures and kids’ poster competition, etc. are quite popular.

Theme for World Environment Day 2020

The main focus of World Environment Day 2020 would be on Biodiversity- a concern that is both urgent and existential. Recent events, from bushfires in Brazil, the United States, and Australia to locust infestations across East Africa – and now, a global disease pandemic – demonstrate the interdependence of humans and the webs of life, in which they exist. But, do we really know its importance? Maybe our biodiversity trivial will help.

Biodiversity and its connection to humans

Biodiversity is the foundation that supports all life on land and below water. It affects every aspect of human health, providing clean air and water, nutritious foods, scientific understanding and medicine sources, natural disease resistance, and climate change mitigation. Changing, or removing one element of this web affects the entire life system and can produce negative consequences.

Human actions, including deforestation, encroachment on wildlife habitats, intensified agriculture, and acceleration of climate change, have pushed nature beyond its limit. It would take 1.6 Earths to meet the demands that humans make of nature each year. If we continue on this path, biodiversity loss will have severe implications for humanity, including the collapse of food and health systems.

The emergence of Covid-19 has underscored the fact that, when we destroy biodiversity, we destroy the system that supports human life. Today, it is estimated that, globally, about one billion cases of illness and millions of deaths occur every year from diseases caused by coronaviruses; and about 75 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic, meaning that they are transmitted to people by animals. Nature is sending us a message.

How can we celebrate World Environment Day?

If we want to celebrate this day then we have to come forward and take steps to heal our earth for the wounds given by the human race. We have to start by ourselves, if we will wait that someone will start and we will join the movement then nothing is going to happen. Someone has to start so why cannot we become that someone. We cannot contribute a big part but at least can contribute our part, can do from an individual end. As said “Charity begins at home”. Whatever our responsibility is can fulfill that. Some ways for the same are mentioned below:

Tree plantation: Every individual should plant a tree and not the only plant but should take care of that till its whole life.

Prohibit the use of Polythene: We should stop using polythene in every form, try to avoid as many forms you can.

Recycle E-waste: When your mobile or laptops stops or breaks then give them to e-waste recycling facility rather than keeping them at home.

Herbal or Natural products: Use herbal products or natural means DIY, try to use biodegradable products.

Save Water: Stop wastage of water, use in a smarter way.

Source: United Nations