World Environment & World Ocean Day

This year, the theme of World Environment Day is “Reimagine. Recreate. Restore.”. Highlighting the importance of our ecosystem restoration.
The global host this year is Pakistan.

History of World Environment Day

In 1972, the UN General Assembly established World Environment Day on the first day of the Stockholm Conference while discussing the Human Environment. Two years later, in 1974, the first World Environment Day was held with the theme ‘Only One Earth‘

Time spent among trees and the environment is never time wasted!

It’s pure Joy…. I go to nature to be soothed and healed; to have my senses put in order. —John Burroughs

With healthy ecosystems we will enhance people’s livelihoods, reverse climate change and stop the collapse of biodiversity.

Nature has its own benefits for each and every species on this planet!

Keeping all this in mind, every year on June 5th, the world celebrates World Environment Day, a day marked just for nature.

From animals to humans; from the food we eat- to the air we breathe- the water we drink and the climate which makes our planet habitable… all comes from nature itself.

World Environment Day- offers a global platform for inspiring positive change in the environment. It pushes individuals to think about the way they consume the ecosystem and gives them a chance to take action to build a greener future.

Every year, governments, big businesses, and citizens around the globe put in their efforts to address environmental issues. This year too, millions of people around the world will be celebrating this day online and in person.

Each year, marine plants produce more than half of our atmosphere’s oxygen, whereas a mature tree cleans our air, absorbing 22 kilos of carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen in exchange. This is why June 5th , is marked to make people aware of the importance of the environment in our lives.

World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day is an International day that takes place annually on June 8th.

The focus is to raise awareness of the vital importance of our Oceans and the role they play in sustaining a healthy planet. … On World Oceans Day, people around our blue planet celebrate and honor our Ocean, which connects us all.

We couldn’t live without them.

The concept was originally proposed by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development & The Ocean Institute of Canada- during the Earth Summit – UN Conference discussing- Environmental development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 1992.

The purpose of this Day is to inform the public of the impact our actions have on the Ocean. To develop a worldwide movement focused towards sustainable management for all the oceans worldwide.

This summer many of us gather at our parts, beaches for picnicking , hiking or engaging in water sports.

How many times have you witnessed people leaving trash behind or throwing unused items into lakes or oceans? This is one of the major areas we each can help.

Please simply help pick up some trash.

I started doing this in my own neighborhood while walking my dog, Bella. My block has had a big problem with trash from- basic litter; cigarette buts, and other left items on the sidewalks or yards. Really disgusting.

Many of my local neighbors in the building would talk and complain about it- saying “why don’t they clean up after themselves”.. All the while they too are outside smoking and tossing cigarette buts into the street.

I found myself complaining too and wishing I lived in a cleaner neighborhood.

One day I realized that I could help if I wanted to, so I started picking up just a little extra trash on my daily walks.

It felt good. So, everyday while out on my walks I carry an extra bag just for trash collecting.

It turned out I wasn’t the only one on the block that took action. One of my neighbors takes it very seriously. He goes out for hours all dressed up with gloves & apron gathering up trash at the park, across the street and around his apartment complex; then putting it into local containers.

He really feels responsible!

On another walk I noticed another neighbor with a large bag all by herself picking up trash left in the walkway &  gutters.

I’m so inspired,  I don’t feel alone in my efforts.

Many of the neighbors walk their dogs, being friendly to each other. Reminding us to pick up dog waste. Some neighbors have been cleaning up their yards,  once abandoned and unkept; to now looking more vibrant and attractive.. Even placing signs out about picking up trash.

This summer marks 4 years since living in Seattle and my block has transformed from looking trashy & feeling like no one cared- to a Cleaner, greener and friendlier neighborhood.

I like where I live now…  We can make a difference right where we are!

Some Ideas on Action…

• Actively planting trees around you. Or simply start a garden..
• Get together with your friends and neighbors for a clean-up activity in your areas.. Or, do it yourself! Don’t wait..
• Cleaning up your local beaches!!
• Save and use less water
• Buy energy-efficient appliances- solar if possible.
• Recycle your e-waste properly..so many other ideas!
• Please take some action to support and show your love for the environment!

For me, I love the Beaches.. Our Ocean and surrounding bodies of water.

I recently found out there is a great company that is actively cleaning our Local Oceans of plastic and creating really cute jewelry from the  recycled plastics.. How innovative.

Check these guys out..4ocean.org      Very inspiring actions..

In Closing…. Our Focus this year.

REIMAGINE-RECREATE- RESTORE.

This is the Time…
We cannot turn back time. But we can choose to grow trees- Choose to live Greener– Choose to nurture our gardens; change our diets & clean up rivers and coastlines!
We are the ones that can make peace with nature no one else!
Let’s get active, not anxious. Let’s be bold, not timid.
Let’s Be the Change we want to see..

Join #GenerationRestoration
#worldenvironmentday.global
#4ocean.org