World Environment Day is held on June 5 each year and is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.
The theme for this year’s World Environment Day is ‘beat air pollution’.
Here`s the UN Secretary General’s message to governments around the world:
“It is time to act decisively. My message to governments is clear: tax pollution, end fossil fuel subsidies, and stop building new coal plants. We need a green economy, not a grey economy.” Secretary General, António Guterres
Here`s a link to the UN page about what causes air pollution
Here are eight things you can do to help beat air pollution.
- Use public transport or car share, cycle or walk.
- Stop unnecessary idling, turn off the car engine when stationary.
- Eat less meat and dairy to help cut methane emissions.
- Compost organic food items (or put into the organics collection bin)
- Turn off lights and electronics when not in use
- Run dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers only when you have a full load
- Choose non-toxic cleaners, or make your own using vinegar and water
- Use water-based or solvent-free paints
And here’s something else to think about on World Environment Day, from Greenpeace tumblr post
“The Earth is 4.6 billion years old. Scaling to 46 years, humans have been here 4 hours, the industrial revolution began 1 minute ago, and in that time we’ve destroyed more than half the world’s forests.”
