#OnlyOneEarth – World Environment Day 2022

Sierra Club Canada at COP26 in Glasgow

The World Environment Day is tomorrow. What is it and what can you do to help?

The World Environment Day is a day recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as a day meant for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment and ecosystems. It has been held annually on the 5th of June since its original founding in 1973, and is considered the largest global platform for environmental awareness and outreach. This year, the day is to be hosted by Sweden tomorrow on Sunday.

The World Environment Day employs the slogan “Only One Earth”. This slogan was first developed in Stockholm in 1972 for the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, and has since spread worldwide. The meaning of the slogan is simple; among all the galaxies and planets, there is only one of our Earth, and it is paramount that we do all we can to preserve it, and amid growing environmental crises that need for action and awareness is only getting larger with time. Sweden also hosted the Stockholm+50 celebration from June 2nd to June 3rd, as this is the 50th anniversary of the slogan’s founding.

The crises that plague our environment affect every one of us at every level, and it is imperative that we all do what we can to help. Whether it is raising awareness via campaigning and legislature or simple acts that help the immediate land around us, there is much that one can do to not only help promote World Environment Day, but Stockholm+50 as well, and every day of our lives. Protecting the Earth should be the top priority of all, as it is imperative to our survival and the quality of life of those who will follow in our steps.

As for what Canada is doing to help, we reached out to Adam van Koeverden, the Member of the Parliament of Milton, and he had this to say;

“The science is clear – we must take action now to protect our planet. Our government has an ambitious plan to reach its climate targets of net-zero emissions by 2050, that is why we introduced and passed the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which is the first time a Canadian government has legislated emissions reductions accountability! We have also taken steps to protect our ecological corridors through a $60 million investment to support better ecological connections. And, to solidify our commitment for transitioning to a new clean economy, we have invested in renewable energy and green technology by supporting projects that will lower emissions through clean energy technologies, like wind, solar, storage, hydro, and geothermal.”

“There is no Planet B. We have moved swiftly to implement key aspects of the climate plan, and through these transformative actions, we are fighting against climate change and we will achieve a healthy environment and a healthy economy that will benefit all Canadians – both current and future generations.”

The Canadian government takes a strong stance on defending and preserving our environment, but it is imperative that all of us do our part as well. For more information on the World Environment Day, including how you can help and participate, please visit https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/. Also use the hashtag #OnlyOneEarth on social media to spread awareness and advocate.