Dr Monika Koul
5th June we are celebrating World Environment Day. Every year we dedicate the day in our series to some aspect of environment, protection of our nature and conservation of natural resources. Across the World UNEP (United Nations Development Programme) sponsors various campaigns on this day. For the first time celebrations were held in 1973 and for past 40 years the day is celebrated. In this episode, let us take a stock and find out what this day brings in with it.
Has 5 June made us environmental friendly and raised our awareness or it is just another day when public funds are spent on lectures and programmes. For all government offices and public sector undertakings it is mandatory to talk on environmental issues on this day. Schools across the globe host various awareness campaigns and try to bring a change in perception towards environment. It is clear from the documentary evidences that June 5 has been instrumental in involving youngesters in and through their involvement society is seeking a change. Public and Society at large is adopting a pro-environmental behavior. “Pro-environmental behaviour”, constitutes the central concept or aim of environmental education all over the world. Variables that are found to be associated with responsible environmental behavior are: knowledge of issues, knowledge of action strategies, locii of control, attitudes, verbal commitment, and an individual’s sense of responsibility. June 5 seeks to achieve various domains of these variables listed above.
Every year the world environment day comes with a theme. In 2007 the discussions were on melting glaciers and ice caps, in the year 2008, theme was Low carbon economy and all over the world the focus was reducing the emissions to comabt the warming of planet. 2009 Micheal Jackons Planet Song became a rage and it became an anthem of the world and evoked everyone to be sensitive to environment. It had such an effect that western world became very sensitive on environmental issues. The biodiversity loss a major concern for all nations, was addressed in the consecutive years. Year 2010, had focus on the ecological and economic importance of biodiversity. Scientists talked about priority issues in conservation of biological resources and reasons for depletions. Significant policy regulations and legislations came up subsequently. In the same spirit, the ball was sent rolling for 2011, and forest conservation became a focal theme. Forests are the life line of any nation and are under threats on account of natural and anthropogenic reasons. Therefore, the protection of forests is important for national economy. The campaigns were held at global, regional, national and international levels to address the issues related to forests and some significant achievements were outlined in the subsequent year on June 5.
Celebration of June 5 and an affiliation to a topical theme went well with the various cross sections of the society. Right from students, teachers, academia, policy makers, farmers and women were included in the campaigns. 2012, June 5 camapign was kicked off with the tag line of Green Economy so that economic considerations and development does not put environment in black hole. The green economy laid emphasis on green technologies and green cities that has really marked a new era of changes in our outlook at environment as such and environmental conservation and protection in depth. 2013 last year the world started taking note of food security, world hunger and malnutrition so June 5, focussed on saving food that is an important driver for human resources and avoiding wastage of food right from the farmers field to the human kitchens and households.
This year we are focusing on protection of various Islands across the world. Islands-that form the most beautiful and sustainable ecosystems. Small islands that harbour an array of endemic species of both flora and fauna. For the first time ever, in the world islands are receiving so much of attention. If we protect these beautiful ecosystems, we are going to protect the bounties of nature.
Thus, if we look at the achievements of clebrating June 5 as an internationally important date, there may not be much but it has really been instrumental in bringing a positive attitude towards environment. Children and even adults are now more aware about the environmental issues and concerns. They know that they are accountable for their actions. The awareness on certain aspects have reached both the urban and rural households. Wastage of natural resources is seen as an unpleasant exercise all over.
Many eminent people and personalities such as politicians of the stature of Al Gore, Nobel Prize Winner to Julia Roberts in USA to Aaamir Khan, Miss Universe Sushmita Sen to cricketers are joining in to raise environmental awareness on one hand and academia, professors, school teachers are bringing in a positive change on other hand. People show concern when pipes are leaking, people take a note when forest fires erupt and trees are cut.
Many non-government organizations have made their presence felt because they are fighting for environmental cause. There are more than 500 NGOs in India working towards environment. WWF, Wetlands International and CSE(Centre for Science and Environment) are some important organizations that work in conservation and protection of environment. TERI (The Energy Research Institute) is the green organization that follows and adopts environmental friendly practices.
The day has definitely brought environment to forefront and every citizen is an environmental friendly citizen. If we, care and campaign more with honesty…we will soon have quality environment around us.
World Environment Day
(The author is Assistant Professor Department of Botany Hans Raj College, Delhi)
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