The World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 of each year with the aim to mark the importance of nature and raise awareness for its protection. The day is a principal platform of the United Nations to raise awareness on issues that are threats to the environment. The day aims to focus on the importance of the environment and to remind people that Mother Nature should not be taken for granted. Each year, various programmes are organised around a specific theme to mark the importance of the day. The specific theme depicts the motto of the celebration. This year’s World Environment Day is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution.’ The theme focuses on tackling plastic pollution, calling on countries, organisations, and individuals to act together if we are to save this only planet that we have.
Every year during this day, tree plantation has been the hallmark of the celebration. It is true that protecting the environment is not just about planting trees. It is also about pollution control, water conservation, energy conservation, civic sense, and above all, being a responsible citizen, who is an advocate of a sustainable planet. Thus, a change begins from an individual, and then individuals make a society and finally envisage a collective vision of a country. It is not just about being environmentally conscious. It is also about thinking for the future, thinking about economic development and building a responsible and sensible society. It is the responsibility of each individual to balance it in such a way that everyone lives in harmony.
According to the UN, every day the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes. It is a global problem. The world produced 400+ million metric tons of plastic in 2022 and it has been found that much of this will be discarded after one or a few uses. One of the most effective ways we can reduce our plastic use is to not purchase plastic in the first place. Rather than purchasing plastic goods, we can opt for alternatives such as metals, glass or wood depending on the product. This World Environment Day we can contribute toward the effort to reduce plastic waste by not using plastics to begin with.
We have one planet to stay and no more to go. We have to protect it before it decides to protect itself, as nature does carry the power to protect itself. Time is running out, and nature is in an emergency mode. We all have a role to play because plastic pollution is a significant environmental problem that requires urgent action. As individuals, we can reduce our plastic pollution and be more environmentally conscious by avoiding single-use plastics (e.g. straws, cups, cutlery, etc.) and packaging materials (e.g. polybags). Instead we can use jute bags, glass bottles or jars, steel or ceramic cutleries and utensils, and paper-made tetra packs.
