Only One Earth

World Environment Day reminds people about the importance of nature. It is celebrated across the globe to respect and acknowledge everything that the environment has given us and to take the pledge that we will protect it. The environment can be understood as a blanket that keeps life on the planet safe and sound. It plays a vital role in keeping living things healthy. It provides food, shelter, and air, and fulfills all human needs. But the earth is no longer as healthy as it used to be because of the environmental issues that we caused.

The environmental issues that the world is facing right now are climate change, pollution, nature and biodiversity loss, and waste disposal. First, the climate crisis causes extreme weather events that kill or displace thousands and result in economic losses. To limit global warming, we must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions, save energy at home, drive less, avoid products with a lot of packaging, and recycle more (Reduce, reuse, repair & recycle). Second, air pollution produces unclean air, making it the most significant environmental health risk of our time. To combat this issue, choose eco-friendly products, conserve energy, plant trees, consume less, choose sustainable products, and walk, bike, or use public transportation. Third, Ecosystem degradation affects the well-being of an estimated 3.2 billion people. This issue must be prevented as it supports all life on Earth, including humans. To save the ecosystem and biodiversity, we must leave wildlife habitats undisturbed, keep vehicles on main roads, reduce the spread of weeds and disturbance to wildlife, don’t cut trees, and join programs that protect habitat and decrease threats to biodiversity. Lastly, the waste disposal problem produces too much waste that causes a lot of problems to human health and the environment. To limit this, don’t use or buy one-time products, prioritize 3R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle), use environmentally friendly materials, and avoid toxic waste.

In conclusion, the Earth provides us with everything we want and everything we need to survive. The Earth is our home and the only one we have. The Earth’s health plays a huge role in our overall health, to the point where if the Earth is unhealthy, this can cause humans to become unhealthy as well. With this, we need to take action and be one to save our only home – the only livable planet we have. There is only one Earth – and it needs to be protected now. We must take action against activities that have a negative impact on our health and our environment. 

          Sources:

India Today. World Environment Day 2022: History, theme, significance and quotes. https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/world-environment-day-2022-history-theme-significance-and-quotes-1958342-2022-06-05

Panamuna project. 10 reasons we should take care of our earth. https://www.panamunaproject.com.au/blogs/news/10-reasons-we-should-take-care-of-our-earth#:~:text=Our%20Earth%20provides%20us%20with,comes%20from%20this%20one%20planet.

Only One Earth. https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/

UNEP. Global actions on World Environment Day underscore urgent need to protect the planet. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/global-actions-world-environment-day-underscore-urgent-need-protect

UNEP. On World Environment Day, pledges offer hope for future. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/world-environment-day-pledges-offer-hope-future

Nature Trust British Columbia. https://www.naturetrust.bc.ca/conserving-land/what-can-we-do#:~:text=Leave%20critical%20wildlife%20habitat%20undisturbed,weeds%20and%20disturbance%20to%20wildlife.

United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/actnow/ten-actions#unplug

Almost zero waste. 8 Waste Disposal Problems And 8 Fantastic Solutions. https://www.almostzerowaste.com/waste-disposal-problems-and-solutions/

20 Ways to Prevent Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution. https://greentumble.com/10-ways-to-prevent-air-pollution/

              All photos are retrieved on June 11, 2022:

https://www.discovery.com/technology/Satellite-Saviors-Earth-orbiting-sensors-save-planet

https://static.india.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Environment-Day2.jpg

https://www.calicarting.com/blog/waste-management-tips/how-to-create-your-6-step-waste-management-plan/

https://connect2local.com/l/562905/c/955508/4-reasons-why-proper-waste-disposal-is-important