World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated each year on June 5 to
spread global awareness among the inhabitants of earth regarding mother nature.
Each year this day is celebrated with a theme and this year the theme is THINK.EAT.SAVE
According
to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), every year 1.3 billion
tonnes of food is wasted. At the same time, 1 in every 7 people in the world go
to bed hungry and more than 20,000 children under the age of 5 die daily due to
hunger.
This
year's theme encouages reduction of food wastage, which in turn will help save
money and minimise the environmental impact of food production. It encourages
people to be more aware of the environmental impact of their food choices.
As a
world citizen it is the responsibility of every citizen to help maintain the
ecological balance.
Here are
five things that you can do as a global citizen on World Environment Day:
1) Spread
awareness: The major purpose of this year's theme is to start making changes
from the household level. As an environment enthusiast, you can spread
awareness on a small level by talking to children in your family, or at your
office or in your locality. Inform everyone about this year's theme or spread
awareness about the environment in general.
2) Build
a small farm or garden: We know it's difficult to find space in a metropolitan city, but
if you're blessed with one, make and maintain a small farm or garden. Grow
fruits, vegetables. Learn about various seeds, plants and manure. Create a part
of your garden where you grow edible plants and another where you can grow
flowers.
This
will help you interact with nature and will also give you an opportunity to do
something new. For those who are not blessed with huge spaces, start with a
sapling or potato in a bag or a small sprout garden in your windowsill.
3)
Travel by public transport: Take public transportation on World
Environment Day and vow to take it more often than you do. If you're already a
public transport user, take a walk. Introduce the concept of public transport
to your family or car-lover friends. Cycle. It's fun and a great way to
exercise.
4)
Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Renew, Recycle: If you're not already into this habit,
it's a good day of the year to start. These 5R's are magic mantras when it
comes to environmental conservation and sustainable usage. The concept is
already taught to students at school. The problem is that elders have forgotten
about it. Take time on World Environment Day to learn about this concept. There
are many things that you can do on a personal level, if you just keep
these 5R's in your mind.
5) Publicise: Did something nice to protect
the environment? Talk about it! Show off. Share pictures and posts on
Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Let people know what you plan to do and do it
this World Environment Day. You can use Facebook invites to invite your friends
to participate. Use Twitter hashtags like #StayGreen or #WorldEnvDay to spread
your message faster.
You can also involve yourself
with various conservation, restoration, or local eco-community projects in your
area.
