WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
World Environment Day, best known in the field of environmental and climate action, celebrated since 1972, is held on June 5th. It seeks to engage businesses, governments, citizens, and celebrities to promote activities to protect and preserve the environment, sparking debate and reflection on the environmental problems that planet Earth faces or will face if we neglect its role of caring for it.
This year, the day is marked by a global mobilization against plastic pollution, with the Republic of Korea as the host country. Plastic pollution has negative impacts on the environment and human health, such as ecosystem pollution, including the release of toxic substances; improper disposal of plastics pollutes oceans, rivers, and soil, harming flora and fauna; and burning plastic releases harmful gases that contribute to climate change and respiratory problems.
When we talk about the environment, a forest, a rich variety of plants, large trees, and animals of various species immediately come to mind. But the environment is not only made up of plants and animals; it is also constructed and altered by human activities.
In recent years, a large number of people have been encouraged to contribute to environmental preservation, but they often don’t know exactly what to do. One of the first steps is something simple: recycle.
The 3Rs:
Recycle: transform used materials through artisanal and industrial processes into new products. E.g., glass blocks, glass cups, bags, charcoal.
Reuse: repurpose the material for another purpose. E.g., use bottles to preserve food products.
Reduce: avoid producing waste by reviewing consumption habits.
Therefore, the 3Rs can be applied to plastic, paper, glass, metal, and organic waste. They include the sustainable use of natural resources; waste reduction; pollution reduction; and biodiversity protection. Even trash can be turned into a luxury through the creativity that the human mind can offer, which also opens up job opportunities and helps develop new skills.
Think about the future, not ours, but that of our children and grandchildren. If we continue to demand so many resources, they will soon be scarce, and our children will not know what it is like to live in a world without environmental devastation. They will not encounter several species of our flora and fauna, because they will become extinct. And we must preserve them to ensure the health and well-being of future generations, through sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources.
Joining the main objective of World Environment Day, we promoted a week dedicated to the environment at the Flori das Mahotas Social Center. This included not only lectures and awareness-raising activities but also cleaning and caring for the institution’s green spaces, as well as reusing bottles to beautify the center’s garden and motivate all students to be environmental activists in the community.
Veronica Maguese
Volunteer at the Flori Social Center and Environmental Activist at the NGO R’Pensar
Mahotas, Mozambique
