For many years, the environment was neglected as a facet which would self-correct, despite unending damage. Consequently, society found itself in the middle of strife due to climate change and resource scarcity. As famine abounds and water stress increases across the globe, there is growing realization that we cannot wait any longer.
World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on 5 June each and every year and this year 2022 the focus is on the fact that we only have one planet and we must take good care of it in order to avoid being in dire straits.
Everyday life revolves around the environment. Food is grown on the vast plains of lands that are offered by nature, Textiles come from growing crops such as cotton. Fossil fuels such as petrol, diesel and jet fuel come from the deeper precincts of the earth’s crust.
As humanity becomes more sophisticated, the demands for more products is growing. As a result of the situation, an environmental crisis continues to brew. It is high time that we realize that we have one planet. If it is damaged, there is no replacement or Plan B.
Mining should be sustainable and address environmental justice. It should facilitate rehabilitation of damaged land. Construction should adopt green building codes and be environmentally friendly on materials. The journey to sustainability may take long to be realised, but it is a necessary path which we must trod.
The action starts at individual level and cascades at family level and furthermore at community level. At the same time, we cannot leave our little children from the discourse. The future is in our hands and we must begin to change the narrative. Procurement should lean towards cleaner products and those which are more sustainable. At all levels of government, private sector, civil society and communities, we must come together and save our environment. As we mark world environment day in the month of June, let it be a time for renewed commitment to success on the green trajectory