World Environment Day is held each year on 5 June. The United Nations (UN) uses the opportunity to stimulate worldwide awareness and promote ways to improve the Earth’s environment.
The theme of World Environment Day this year is ‘It’s time for nature’, and in these exceptional times the campaign reminds us that to care for ourselves we must care for nature.
During lockdown
During lockdown we have been encouraged to work from home if we can. A number of VCSE organisations have adapted their provision to a digital service as indicated in our list of support services during COVID-19 and in doing so globally the world has seen a temporary reduction in daily CO2 emissions.
We have also been able to access green spaces safely to exercise and spend time outdoors for recreation with our household and now in groups of up to six people from outside our household, as the risk of the Coronavirus being passed on to others outdoors is considered to be lower as long as people maintain social distancing.
Britain’s green spaces
Despite the newfound importance of our green spaces, Fields in Trust, a British charity, have quoted in their 2020 green space index that 2.69 million people in the UK are not within easy walking distance of a publicly accessible local green space to relax, go for a walk, enjoy nature or take part in sport.
The index is a barometer of publicly accessible park and green space provision and you can explore provision near you using their interactive maps. They also have a self-service online library of information to support friends of parks groups and park users maintain their parks and green spaces.
Locally we have a number of VCSE organisations helping to provide and upkeep green spaces such as The Rectory Wildlife Gardeners, a local charity working with Charnwood Borough Council to provide and maintain a wildlife garden in the centre of Loughborough. They have recently produced a 3D fly-through of their wildlife garden proposals.
Or there is Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, a leading wildlife conservation charity who have highlighted that 41% of insect species face extinction and have come up with solutions to reduce the extinction process through an action for Insects guide, helping communities to create an insect-friendly garden that is teaming with wildlife.
Road to recovery
As a number of VCSE organisations start to look at what the phased lifting of lockdown will mean for their organisation, you may want to consider how your COVID-19 secure processes can help the earth’s environment.
For example the government has invested in alternative ways to travel to enable commuters to avoid using public transport, as part of its staying alert and stay safe guidance. This includes additional opportunities for employees to access the cycle to work scheme. Offering discounts on bikes and accessories. The Choose How You Move website provides details on a smarter way to travel in Leicester and Leicestershire, with details of free bike checks for key workers and the 64 accredited cycle routes in Leicester.
NCVO Know How Non-Profit have produced an article on how to create a more environmentally sustainable non-profit workplace. You may want to read it alongside the British Council for Offices Thoughts on office design and operation after COVID-19 briefing paper. The NCVO article includes ideas such as having monthly contests and challenges.
VAL has an Environmental Champions group who provide a green tip each week. As part of World Environment Day they launched a photo competition called Beautiful Nature and we have been using our spare time to source and take pictures of nature alongside 3 themes of plants, animals and landscapes. The winning photo will be announced soon.
Global aspect
As expressed by Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), “strong and global stewardship of nature and biodiversity, creating green jobs and facilitating the transition to a carbon neutral future” are key for building back better after the COVID-19 pandemic.
IRP and UNEP conclude that, if done right, recovery from this global pandemic could usher in a new era of economic prosperity that is respectful of – and aligned with – the planet’s resources.
Finally as it is world environmental day, it seems appropriate to add some global perspective. Last year I had the opportunity to visit the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in Ibadan, Nigeria. IITA is an award-winning, not for profit, research-for-development (R4D) organisation, providing solutions to hunger, poverty, and the degradation of natural resources in Africa.
My niece Abisola visited IITA with me and has written a poem on her thoughts for it’s a time for nature. She is presently in lockdown in Ibadan with my in-laws, unable to start university due to the risks associated with COVID-19.
NATURE’S IDENTITY
Waking up to view the morning glory;
I hear the melodies of cuckoos;
I see the signature of beauty on the butterflies;
Sapping nectar from the hibiscus;
Nature is dainty!
Hearing the tides of the flowing river;
The breeze of serenity lightens up my nostrils in bliss;
Her design of the green branch canopies are clever;
Mother Earth is serene!
The beautiful scenery of the nodding lizards;
Creeping on the heart of the soil;
The healing touch of her shrubs and herbs;
Even the farmers smile in their toil;
Mother Earth is endowed!
Hushing sounds of machineries;
The mighty trees bow in agony;
Water is full of wailing fishes;
Leakages have caused acrimony;
Mother Earth is in rage!
She has her standards;
Her barriers hold still;
The sun plays its’ cards;
Our sky’s patches send hot-chills;
Mother Earth has fought back!
All hands on deck!
Let’s put little bits together;
To make her strong and better;
Replenishing what we reck;
We have to give back to nature!
There is moderacy in modernity;
Let’s honour Her supremacy;
Nature’s standards remain still;
Let’s keep her heart green;
And her skies blue.
© 2020 Abisola Folarin.
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