World Environment Day, 7 Billion Dreams and One Planet

Responsibility and respect for the planet we depend upon is not only meant for Earth Day. Each day, individuals have the power to make a choice – to take actions that consider the environment’s well-being now and in generations to come. Humanity and its economy cannot exist without the Earth’s limited natural resources. Working together, with each other and with nature, is the only way to make a healthy, happy and sustained future possible. Yes, today is World Environment Day , however, the choices we make every other day must also consider the responsibility we have to the planet.

World Environment Day (WED) was established in 1972 during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and since has grown into a program with stakeholders in over 100 countries.  Last year, WED focused on small island developing states in order to spread awareness of the increasing vulnerabilities they endure due to climate change.  Barbados headlined this movement through its efforts to establish themselves as leaders in solar energy and teaching others about the effects of increasing natural disasters and sea level rise that small islands have to deal with as a result of climate change.  WED 2014 amassed over 6,000 pledges and 3,000 activities registered online, triple the amount of previous years.   WED works to emphasize the message that every individual’s action counts, no matter how small or how large.  This year’s theme is entitled “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.”   With our ever growing population, the theme aims to remind everyone that we need to conserve the world’s natural resources for the current and future population. Progress does not mean increase consumption but learning to live better with less. For example, current water use is putting extreme pressure on global water resources while more than one billion people still do not have access to clean water sources. Water, along with food and energy must be consumed with care. The theme for WED 2015 contains the words, “Seven Billion Dreams” to send the message that many are unable to achieve their dreams because they lack of basic natural resources. It is up to us all to work together in order to create a world where seven billion dreams can be achieved on one planet.   If you are planning any activities for World Environment Day, please register it here!