World Environment Day 2021: Why Now It’s Time to Act!
Since 1974, World Environment Day has been celebrated every year on 5 June, engaging governments, businesses and citizens in an effort to address pressing environmental issues. In the last few years we have seen what a dramatic effect we have on the planet and by making changes we can have a positive impact. Businesses now have the opportunity to set an example to their employees and inspire them to make positive changes.
Did you know?
- Over 4.7 million hectares of forests – an area larger than Denmark – are lost every year.
- Nearly 80 per cent of the world’s wastewater is discharged to our oceans and rivers without treatment.
- Wetlands are being drained for agriculture, with some 87 per cent lost globally in the last 300 years.
- Present in more than 180 countries, peatlands are vital, super-powered ecosystems. Though they cover only 3 per cent of the world’s land, they store nearly 30 per cent of its soil carbon.
The theme of this years’ world environment day is #GenerationRestoration.
Ecosystem restoration means preventing, halting and reversing this damage – to go from exploiting nature to healing it. This World Environment Day will kick off the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a global mission to revive billions of hectares, from forests to farmlands, from the top of mountains to the depth of the sea.
How Can Businesses Get Involved?
- If you have an outside area, encourage gardening and planting plants and flowers that are bee and bird friendly.
- Arrange a litter pick around the workplace.
- Introduce a recycling scheme.
- Arrange a volunteer day to clear up a nearby riverbank or beach.
- Raise money to support restoration or conservation initiatives.
- Discourage single-use plastic and give your employees a branded water bottle – this would also help with brand awareness!
- Have a green team that consistently arranges activities that help against climate change.
Above all, World Environment Day offers a global platform for inspiring positive change. It pushes for individuals to think about the way they consume; for businesses to develop greener models; for farmers and manufacturers to produce more sustainably; for governments to invest in repairing the environment; for educators to inspire students to take action; and for youth to build a greener future.
The single most important thing a business can do is switch to a renewable energy supplier.
Speak to one of our team today and find out what a difference switching to UGP can make.
