
Countless organisations around the globe are sharing tips on how to save the planet on World Environment Day on 5 June. But they will also encourage people to turn these tips into daily habits.
Organisations and individuals all over the globe encourage the public to help the planet by implementing small things in their lives. (Images: Nature Forever)
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Melissa Javan
Turning off your computers at night and drying your clothes on a washing line are just a few ways of saving the planet. And these are the kinds of methods that will be promoted on Friday, 5 June, when people all over the globe celebrate World Environmental Day (WED).
The Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges [EAUC] refers to WED as “the biggest day for environmental action and mobilisation”.
EAUC invited the public to use the Twitter hashtag #WED2015 to share what they will be doing for this day. “Last year’s WED received 6 437 pledges and over 3 000 activities were registered online, can we go further in 2015?” it is said on its website.
“This global alliance [WED] will contribute extensively to global developments such as the Paris COP21 taking place in December 2015,” said EAUC.
“The theme for this year’s WED is ‘Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care’. With individuals consuming far more natural resources than what the planet can sustainably supply, we are at the tipping point of irreversible and destructive change.”
Here are some of the tweets with this hashtag, as well as #WorldEnvironmentalDay:
I’m going! #WorldEnvironmentDay – Friday 5 June pic.twitter.com/3tjpnMKkPP
— Richard McLellan (@RichardMcLellan) June 4, 2015
Seven Billion dreams,oneplanet ,lets consume our envrionmentwith care #WorldEnvironmentday pic.twitter.com/XumLPbDkma
— JoburgParksZoo(@JoburgParksZoo) June 4, 2015
Good to see people planting more trees and plants all over the world to celebrate #WorldEnvironmentDay. Every bit counts. #sustainability
— Judy Sebastian (@foodsheblogged) June 4, 2015
Celebrations in South Africa
Community development NGO Sozo Foundation will host a Healthy Eating Workshop to teach home gardeners in Vrygrond, Cape Town, to cook a meal without using oil and to incorporate herbs and spices for the improvement of their well-being.
Waste management company, Dolphin Coast Landfill Management will be in Stanger, KwaZulu Natal, to host an outreach programme for the local community. Facilitators at the event will teach children about preserving the environment by implementing the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle.
Tips to save the planet
Websites like 50 Ways to Help the Planet provide tips on how we can do our part to save the planet. These include simple actions such as using one less paper napkin when eating out, hanging clothes out to dry instead of putting them in the tumble dryer and using matches instead of lighters. Such tips can quickly become habits in our daily lives.
The online environmental entrepreneur site, Ecopreneurist gave a list of 10 ways on how businesses can make themselves “greener”. Here are some of its ideas:
- Printing Less Stuff equals Using Less Paper
- Go Digital with Your Documents
- Turn off everything you possibly can before you leave the office each day.
- Educate yourself on how to make your business more sustainable
Watch and learn practical solutions to save the planet: