Breaking the trope on #WorldEnvironmentDay — Think Global, Act Local.
It’s the 52nd World Environment Day on June 5th, 2024! Around the globe, sustainability champions, corporate organizations, academia, and NGOs will gather to reaffirm our collective commitment to fostering a healthy Earth, safe for us and future generations.
For this year’s celebration, I woke up on the 4th reflecting on how the day is typically celebrated in Nigeria. To be candid, some days before, I had read a comment from Bill Gates arguing that planting trees for carbon capture is a futile effort, and I’ve been trying to digest that.
It seemed to me that over time, climate activism has overshadowed our sensitivity to other perennial local environmental challenges. It explains why tree planting is the go-to activity on every #WED.
The effectiveness of this yearly practice is in doubt and is even seen by some as a half-hearted, performative gesture. Moreover, climate change is just one of the plenty environmental challenges the world is faced with.
Trees are good, but it shouldn’t be all we do on World Environment Day
Personal Commitment
My first #WED celebration was the 47th one in 2019 hosted by China. Since then, I’ve committed to participating in every #WED celebration I live to see, and to keep supporting efforts to drive environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
This year, the #WED theme is “Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.” Listen to this playlist curated by UNEP for this year’s celebration.
Beyond the Tropes
In local celebrations on World Environment Day, tree planting and community clean-ups often dominate. While these activities are commendable, I question their effectiveness in addressing our broader environmental challenges. Are they merely symbolic gestures, or can they be part of a larger strategy for meaningful change?
Celebrations across the globe should spotlight local environmental challenges affecting human lives and properties currently, and potentially threatening the achievement of a sustainable Earth. This is because sustainability requires consistent effort and should be ingrained in our daily lives. Our local environmental challenges are ongoing, and demand sustained, focused action and continuous awareness campaigns to create lasting solutions.
Our people must be involved.
Getting involved
- Start with a decision to be better. Talk about good practices and correct practices harmful to the environment.
- Think global, act local. Get involved in any project to solve local environmental problems.
- Support sustainable businesses. Be intentional about putting your money where your mouth is.
Government and Corporate Roles
The government must continue engaging academia and leading NGOs to fast-track the adoption and customization of global solutions to local environmental challenges, committing to the results of these collaborative efforts.
It is no longer enough to organize events and trumpet sweet-sounding clichés. We need resolute commitment, shown through verifiable results like reduced erosion, afforestation, less drought, reduced flooding around the Niger, less land degradation due to illegal mining, stronger environmental institutions, and accountability for environmental abuse. Compliance with environmental regulations should be spotlighted and rewarded.
Sustainability is not a once-in-a-while activity … our people must actively get involved
Corporate organizations must now go beyond performative tree planting and PR rollouts. They should actively engage and educate people on local environmental challenges continuously and support volunteer endeavors committed to sustainability. The #WED celebration should be a day of taking stock and evaluating our performance, as we commit to keep doing better.
