Before we get into the different ways of observing ?World Environment Day?, let?s understand what this day is all about.

World Environment Day History

The first World Environment Day was celebrated in Spokane, U.S.A. The United Nations (UN) named 5th June as ?World Environment Day? at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972. The main purpose of this day is to focus on the various problems faced by Mother Earth. By announcing it at such a large gathering, they aimed to reach government officials and people in leadership positions.

When someone fights for a cause, why do they seek support from people?

? There is strength in unity. A cause brings people together, something that they believe in enough to unify people.

? People may contribute to something to support you but will only be committed to it if they truly believe in the cause and if it is aligned to their values. The power of many fuelled by a common cause is immense and has far more impact than a stand-alone voice.

? You may have heard the saying, ?United we stand, divided we fall!? Unity is a survival need. It strengthens thought, action and purpose. The feeling of coming together and celebrating oneness is important for a harmonious society. What we do, what we say represents our identity.
Example: if animals are dear to you, the chances of you extending support towards causes that stand against animal cruelty will be high. Similarly, if you wish to change society, you may volunteer at an NGO to do your part. So the cause you support speaks a lot about your character and highlights the core of you.

Now that you understand why it is important to stand together for a cause, let?s get to know the importance of World Environment Day.

World Environment Day 2020 Theme

? The Theme of World Environment Day 2020 is ?Biodiversity? with the slogan ?It?s Time for Nature.?

? The various catastrophes in the world over only point out to the need of the hour. The corona pandemic, the locust attacks and the forest fires shout out the urgency of helping our planet recover from the continuous damage it has been enduring.

? The theme for this year brings to light the role of the essential infrastructure that supports life on earth as well as seeks to achieve human development.

World Environment Day 2020: Activities

Here?s how you can observe and be a part of this globally honoured day:

In view of the current scenario, you may not be able to leave your home if you are in India due to the lockdown. However, there are tons of activities you can engage in from the comfort of your home. Since taking care of the environment is not a single day?s job, your responsibility as an individual extends beyond this. We?ve prepared a host of things that you could engage in that is meaningful as well as impactful, let?s get to know them:

? Get Colour-Coded: When you think of nature which colours come to your mind? Now that you?ve listed them, you can wear clothes in those colours. If you wear white, it signifies the melting glaciers and how you stand for it. If you wear green, it means you want to see more greenery around you. If you wear animal prints painted on clothes, you are standing up for that endangered species. Don?t just stop there, sign up for global drives online and support the cause you believe in.

? Paint/Draw/Sketch: Have an art drive where your classmates can use art as a medium to display their concerns from home with messages such as ?Save the Tiger.? Remember to incorporate the theme of the year when you get more and more students and adults to participate in this activity. Take the help of adults to post your art work on various social media platforms.

? Quiz: You can make a list of alarming facts about the environment and turn it into a quiz. For example, what percentage of the planet?s land is covered by forests? The answer is 30%. While this will help to educate people at large, it also brings to awareness the fact that only 30% forest covers less than a third of the Earth?s surface and that is a terrifying fact.

? Webinars: Plan and organize webinars with the help of your teachers and school authorities. Engage the adults to shed light of the numerous issues faced by everyone and how they can be tackled. Get them to talk about the environment changes in the last ten years and how it has impacted Earth. Don?t just let your teachers do the talking, raise your concerns as well.

? Short-Term & Long-Term Goals: Set some goals at the school level or class level on the initiatives that could be taken. For instance, once this pandemic ends, everyone can plant a tree. Though this is a quick and easy task, nurturing that plant will be each one?s responsibility. Some plants may grow is a short term while others may take years on end. Reiterate the 3 R?s: Reuse, Recycle, Reduce. This helps to ensure the utilities are sustainably used and resources are available for future generations to come.

We?ve shared some great ideas that will help you bring about a global change. But first start at home. You can think of more innovative ways like these and let your friends know. In fact, let us get to know the steps you?ve taken. Post everything you?ve done with hashtags #worldenvironmentday2020 #biodiversity #itstimefornature #justlearning and post pictures as well on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and so on. Also, mention the experiences you?ve had and record the experiences of those who?ve participated.

Remember, The Environment Needs You!? You Can Do This!

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Before we get into the different ways of observing ?World Environment Day?, let?s understand what this day is all about.

World Environment Day History

The first World Environment Day was celebrated in Spokane, U.S.A. The United Nations (UN) named 5th June as ?World Environment Day? at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972. The main purpose of this day is to focus on the various problems faced by Mother Earth. By announcing it at such a large gathering, they aimed to reach government officials and people in leadership positions.

When someone fights for a cause, why do they seek support from people?

? There is strength in unity. A cause brings people together, something that they believe in enough to unify people.

? People may contribute to something to support you but will only be committed to it if they truly believe in the cause and if it is aligned to their values. The power of many fuelled by a common cause is immense and has far more impact than a stand-alone voice.

? You may have heard the saying, ?United we stand, divided we fall!? Unity is a survival need. It strengthens thought, action and purpose. The feeling of coming together and celebrating oneness is important for a harmonious society. What we do, what we say represents our identity.
Example: if animals are dear to you, the chances of you extending support towards causes that stand against animal cruelty will be high. Similarly, if you wish to change society, you may volunteer at an NGO to do your part. So the cause you support speaks a lot about your character and highlights the core of you.

Now that you understand why it is important to stand together for a cause, let?s get to know the importance of World Environment Day.

World Environment Day 2020 Theme

? The Theme of World Environment Day 2020 is ?Biodiversity? with the slogan ?It?s Time for Nature.?

? The various catastrophes in the world over only point out to the need of the hour. The corona pandemic, the locust attacks and the forest fires shout out the urgency of helping our planet recover from the continuous damage it has been enduring.

? The theme for this year brings to light the role of the essential infrastructure that supports life on earth as well as seeks to achieve human development.

World Environment Day 2020: Activities

Here?s how you can observe and be a part of this globally honoured day:

In view of the current scenario, you may not be able to leave your home if you are in India due to the lockdown. However, there are tons of activities you can engage in from the comfort of your home. Since taking care of the environment is not a single day?s job, your responsibility as an individual extends beyond this. We?ve prepared a host of things that you could engage in that is meaningful as well as impactful, let?s get to know them:

? Get Colour-Coded: When you think of nature which colours come to your mind? Now that you?ve listed them, you can wear clothes in those colours. If you wear white, it signifies the melting glaciers and how you stand for it. If you wear green, it means you want to see more greenery around you. If you wear animal prints painted on clothes, you are standing up for that endangered species. Don?t just stop there, sign up for global drives online and support the cause you believe in.

? Paint/Draw/Sketch: Have an art drive where your classmates can use art as a medium to display their concerns from home with messages such as ?Save the Tiger.? Remember to incorporate the theme of the year when you get more and more students and adults to participate in this activity. Take the help of adults to post your art work on various social media platforms.

? Quiz: You can make a list of alarming facts about the environment and turn it into a quiz. For example, what percentage of the planet?s land is covered by forests? The answer is 30%. While this will help to educate people at large, it also brings to awareness the fact that only 30% forest covers less than a third of the Earth?s surface and that is a terrifying fact.

? Webinars: Plan and organize webinars with the help of your teachers and school authorities. Engage the adults to shed light of the numerous issues faced by everyone and how they can be tackled. Get them to talk about the environment changes in the last ten years and how it has impacted Earth. Don?t just let your teachers do the talking, raise your concerns as well.

? Short-Term & Long-Term Goals: Set some goals at the school level or class level on the initiatives that could be taken. For instance, once this pandemic ends, everyone can plant a tree. Though this is a quick and easy task, nurturing that plant will be each one?s responsibility. Some plants may grow is a short term while others may take years on end. Reiterate the 3 R?s: Reuse, Recycle, Reduce. This helps to ensure the utilities are sustainably used and resources are available for future generations to come.

We?ve shared some great ideas that will help you bring about a global change. But first start at home. You can think of more innovative ways like these and let your friends know. In fact, let us get to know the steps you?ve taken. Post everything you?ve done with hashtags #worldenvironmentday2020 #biodiversity #itstimefornature #justlearning and post pictures as well on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and so on. Also, mention the experiences you?ve had and record the experiences of those who?ve participated.

Remember, The Environment Needs You!? You Can Do This!

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