The theme ‘Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature’
The slogan “Only One Earth”
“It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the Earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know the sense of wonder and humility” – Rachel Carson
World Environment Day(WED), since its inception in 1973, has become the most influential global platform for environmental outreaches, which emphasizes the importance of nature and its conversation with millions of people from across the world, engaging in inspiring positive change and protecting our planet, Earth. This annual event provides an opportunity for the international community to strengthen cooperation and show leadership in transforming toward a more sustainable society.
This day provides the platform to reflect on the urgent need for actions toward a healthy planet and prosperity for all, achieving a sustainable and inclusive recovery from global disasters and COVID 19 pandemic in particular. Member countries use this occasion to reaffirm their commitment to global environmental issues and call for action on country-specific circumstances.
From the ascent of the morning sun to dusk, birds singing in harmony, white clouds gently moving in the sky, bloom string blossoms spreading all over, squirrels dancing in the fields, and the moving rush of the ocean from everywhere throughout the earth; this is the real definition of beauty. Nature in itself has blessed humanity with such a gift of lasting value. At what point do we reimburse nature? Instead, humanity has outgrown its wings and broadened its territories, threatening the very source of our existence. Currently, there is over-exploitation of natural resources, destruction of ecosystems, and above all, modified our environment to our likeness. Humanity has forgotten that we are part of nature but rather, making nature part of us.
We have contaminated our soils with pesticides, polluted the air with fumes from our vehicles and industries, and filled the oceans with plastic wastes.
Humanity has taken pleasure in hunting for fun and slaughtering endangered species, all for entertainment and trophies. The Amazon forests and forests all over the planet are being destroyed every second, flora and fauna are losing their natural habitats, and biodiversity is experiencing rapid annihilation like a sparkle in thin air.
Humanity celebrates and makes joy as though nothing is turning out badly in all these. We eat, drink, and rest, overlooking everything else and contemplating egotistical needs. Be that as it may, nature has its way of awakening us from our slumber.
Flooding, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and many more disasters show nature’s force and serve as a wake-up call to action. The fierceness of nature’s reward makes humanity discover solutions to all these misfortunes. So what then is the SOLUTION?
Our Solution is to Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature!
Climate Actions: Waste Management – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
To limit global temperature rise to below two °C aiming for 1.5°C, as promised in the Paris Agreement, countries must cut Green House Gas emissions drastically by 2030. The necessary solutions exist, yet currently, more emissions are entering the atmosphere, making it harder to keep the planet safe.
Poor and unstructured waste management system has been a significant challenge for most developing countries like Ghana. This continues to aggravate the sanitation problems of the country and the resultant health and environmental degradation implications. It is advisable to cut down on what we throw away—the adaptation to the three Rs to conserve natural resources and landfill space. The advocacies and education have not been adequate as the use of plastics remain primary, especially in Africa. Reusable bags should be adopted for shopping and packaging.
It is always essential to create awareness and sensitize the masses on the value of natural resources and the need to conserve them and make them sustainable. It is imperative to increase the momentum for the campaign attitudinal change of the population; deliberate activities have perpetrated some of the problems faced by the country.
Recycling, reusing, and recovery of waste ought to be a priority for all and sundry.
Nature Action: Ensuring the resilience of our planet through conservation, restoration, and the sustainable use of nature
By 2030, the world will require even more resources, including more water and more food, while nature loss is expected to accelerate. The only way to ensure a resilient future for our planet and communities is to conserve, restore, and make sustainable use of nature.
Ghana instituted the Green Ghana Day in 2021 as a flagship activity in commemorating the WED annually as an aggressive afforestation and reforestation agenda to restore the lost forest cover of the country. This year’s theme, “Mobilizing for a Greener Future,” is just in tandem with the 2022 WED focus of “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature” this is a collective transformation action aimed at protecting and restoring our planet. Policies enacted, and enforced on anti-deforestation reforestation, restoration and reclamation of degraded natural resources are crucial at ensuring the protection of the planet.
Pollution Actions: Minimize the adverse effects of chemicals and pollution on human health and the environment
Call to action for collaborative action on the integrated environment and health methodologies, tools and policies, and on specific nexus areas such as chemicals and waste, climate, biodiversity, antimicrobial resistance, and sustainable consumption and production by all countries should be on top of national agenda towards the protection of the planet. Currently, death caused by air pollution, in particular, is at high levels.
There is a need for Governments, industry, and civil society organizations worldwide to develop mainstream solutions for the sound management of chemicals and pollutants. While chemicals and waste are significant contributors to world economies, their sound management is essential to avoid risks to human health and ecosystems and substantial costs to national economies.
We must consciously encourage the use of energy-efficient electronic appliances like the LED bulbs high star-rated with natural gas refrigerants, air conditioners, and refrigerators. Basic efficiency and energy conservation tips must be employed as a national agenda to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions towards protect the planet. Humanity has to wake up and recognize that the foundation of our well-being is living in harmony with nature. We must acknowledge that we are part of nature. We must accept that the solution to all our problems begins with valuing and treasuring nature.
We must say no to over-exploitation, respect the environment, and protect our planet. Humanity must opt for sustainability, safeguarding of species, and conservation of nature as a whole.
We should and ought to be focused on protecting our waters, forests, and nature.
We ought to avoid using synthetic compounds and chemicals that may benefit our immediate needs but may cause a devastating impact on the natural ecosystem.
In the end, we ought to stay away from the further crumbling of nature’s blessing and go to nature for our sustainability.
Together we can protect and save nature because Our Solution is to Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature.