Here at The Great Projects, we talk a lot about the importance of caring for animals across the globe. As part of our overall focus on nature, we’re also compassionate about the care given to the world around us – which is why today (June 5th), we’re celebrating World Environment Day!
What Is World Environment Day?
Also known as Eco Day, World Environment Day got its start back in 1972, on the first day of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. By 1974, World Environment Day had been allocated an official date, with the first example of WED running with the theme of ‘Only One Earth.’
Since 1987, WED has been hosted in different countries every year – but each of us across the globe can still take part in our own way, too! Of course, the overarching purpose of World Environment Day is to encourage global awareness for the protection of our environment, and since this year has proven to be somewhat turbulent in many ways towards the notion of environmental care, it’s fitting that host country Canada pledges to ‘Connect People To Nature’ with their theme.
Why Does Our Planet Need Us?
We are so incredibly lucky to live on this Earth, so it’s quite alarming that caring for our one home seems to be so low on many people’s priority list. We cause harm to our planet in a multitude of different ways: wastage of food and materials; excessive carbon footprints; over-consumption of meat and so forth. Even the most minute of acts cause a detriment to the earth; for example, by leaving water or electricity running for too long, we're throwing away vital resources as well as polluting the earth (by use of power plants, for example.) In addition to creating a safer, healthier world for us all, we need to retain a better environment in which wildlife can thrive, therefore allowing the animals to give back to the earth by way of seed dispersal, planting of new trees (for example, squirrels and their acorns), and so much more.
How Can We Help?
As previously mentioned, every year has had its own theme: last year’s theme revolved around a lack of tolerance towards the illegal wildlife trade; 2005’s theme was all about working towards making our cities greener; and previous years have had a focus on poverty throughout populations. By reviewing the full list of themes, you’ll gain a good idea of where to start when it comes to environmental protection, as well as easily discovering which causes you’re more passionate about/most able to help. After all, each of these themes resonate long after World Environment Day passes, and by checking out how the world has celebrated WED in years gone by you’ll no doubt feel inspired to keep the changes going.
With regards to smaller changes which can be made in our daily lives, check out the infographics below and see how you can help to protect our environment!
