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Celebrated every year on June 5th, World Environment Day is like a global eco-wake-up call and with climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss knocking loudly at the door, the planet is practically begging us to pay attention.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, over 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced globally each year, and we as humans are at fault because a good chunk of that consists of single-use items we forget about five minutes later.
Saving the planet doesn’t require quitting your day job to live in a treehouse, it means you start small. Switch to a reusable water bottle, try a Meatless Monday, or take public transport a few times a week, as suggested by the World Wildlife Fund. This source mentions that reducing your carbon footprint can be as simple as unplugging electronics when you’re not using them.
According to the above source, planting even one indigenous tree in your backyard or neighbourhood garden helps restore ecosystems and absorb carbon. Composting kitchen scraps is said to be another underrated hero move as it reduces landfill waste and nourishes soil.
All this can come off as overwhelming at times, however, sustainability isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Every refill, every plant-based meal, every recycled can—it all adds up. As National Geographic puts it, if one billion people made one eco-friendly choice a day, the impact would be massive.
So this World Environment Day, light a (soy-based) candle for Mother Earth and do one good thing—just one, because when it comes to nurturing our planet, small steps from many feet make a giant leap toward change.
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