What better way to celebrate the arrival of the south-west monsoon in Bangalore, than commemorating World Environment Day (WED)? Organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Environment Day is an international day celebrated on June 5th every year, to raise awareness and encourage action for the environment.
World-over events such as clean-up campaigns, tree planting drives, recycling drives, awareness campaigns, film screenings and the like are conducted. Though each of these events are but a blip on the global radar, they contribute towards a bigger movement.
Why should you be a part of WED?
The United Nations designated 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In line with this, the theme for WED 2014 is ‘Raise Your Voice, Not The Sea Level’, with a focus on climate change and its impact. According to UNEP, the global sea level has risen by 10 to 25 cm (up to 10 inches) in the last 100 years. The primary reason for this is global warming, as a result of increase in greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn cause the ocean levels to rise.
Though India does not feature in the list of island states, what we do impacts the lives of those around the globe. At present, we are the world’s third biggest emitter of CO2 after China and the United States. We have examples at home too. In 1998, a bleaching event in the Andamans and Nicobar islands affected almost 70% of the coral reef ecosystem; this was attributed to the elevated ocean temperatures. According to a 2007 report by the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, if global temperatures were to rise by a mere 2°C, some parts of Chennai and Mumbai could be submerged.
How much more time before our cities are submerged? Pic: InformationIsBeautiful.net
(Click on the picture to enlarge)
It is very likely that the present generation, maybe even the next couple of them, will continue to enjoy the world, in spite of global warming rising and increasing sea levels. But what happens after that? What is the legacy we will leave behind for the future generations? Now more so than ever, it is critical that we realise the impact of our actions and take steps to control the change that we have brought upon ourselves.
Celebrate with the city
Across the city, various citizen groups and organisations are hosting a variety of events that you can participate in. Pick one that resonates most with you and make your way there.
Event: Tree Planting Drive
Organiser: Bangalore Mountaineering Club in partnership with SayTrees
Date: June 5th
Time: 9 am
Venue: Kasavanahalli Lake, Harlur road, near Sarjapur Circle
Participation Fees: Rs 200 per sapling
Event: Tree Planting Drive
Organiser: United Way of Bengaluru with Uttarahalli Magakere Walkers’ Association and BBMP
Date: June 5th
Time: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Venue: Uttarahalli Lake
Event: Talk – Raise Your Voice, not the Sea Level
Organiser: Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
Date: June 5th
Time: 11 am
Venue: 3rd Floor, Tejasvi Auditorium, Parisara Bhavana, Church Street
More info: Kiran – 8971336394
Event:Tree Planting Drive, Bird Watching, Plant, Butterfly and Insect identification and Documentary Screening
Organiser: Atree
Date: June 5th
Time: 9 am to 1 pm
Venue: Atree office, Royal Enclave, Sriramapura, Jakkur Post
Event: Tree Planting Drive
Organiser: Rhythm of Nation (RON)
Date: June 5th
Venue: Anywhere
Event: Movie Screening on the shrinking Arctic and Discussion
Date: June 5th
Time: 6.45 pm to 8 pm
Venue: Suchitra Film Society, B V Karanth Road, Banashankari II Stage
Event: Tree Planting Drive
Date: June 5th
Time: 7 am to 9 am
Venue: Sankey Park, Malleshwaram
Event: Sapling Distribution
Organiser: Trio World School
Date: June 5th
Time: 11 am to 12:30 pm
Venue: Cubbon Park Gate
More info: 9663365881
Event: Play – Jungle Book
Troupe: Rangbaaz Group, Mumbai
Date: June 5th and 6th
Time: 7 pm (also at 3.30 pm on June 6th)
Venue: Rangashankara, 36/2, 8th Cross, J.P Nagar
Event: Organic Terrace Gardening Workshop
Date: June 7th
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Venue: Vittal Mallya Scientific Research Foundation (VMSRF), BTM II Stage
Event: Distribution of Bird Baths
Date: Free with purchases of Rs 2500, till stocks last
Time: 11 am to 7 pm
Venue: The MySunnyBalcony Garden Store, Ulsoor and MySunnyBalcony at Serenity, Jayamahal
More info: 080 4111 3421, www.mysunnybalcony.com
Event: Book Reading – A Hint of Jacaranda and The God of Green and Growing Things
Date: June 8th
Time: 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Venue: Urban Solace, Ulsoor
What can you do?
Even if you are unable to attend an event to celebrate World Environment Day, there are small changes that you make in the way you live your life that will surely make a difference. Here are some tips to reduce your carbon footprint.
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Use public transport or carpool. Better still, walk or cycle to work.
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Turn off the lights and appliances when not in use.
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Unplug your appliances when not in use
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Buy energy efficient appliances.
- Dispose e-waste responsibly.
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Use both sides of the paper for printing.
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Carry your own shopping bag for groceries.
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Stop buying bottled water. Carry your own bottle from home.
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Recycle all that can be recycled.
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Upcycle your old stuff.
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Grow your own food.
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Do not waste food.
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Consider going vegetarian, or if that’s too difficult replace a couple of your meaty meals in a week with vegetarian ones.
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Plant a tree in your compound.
Folks, in case you happen to celebrate the day in a special way or attend a unique event, do share the details with us on the comments thread. Here’s wishing all of you a Happy World Environment Day 2014!
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