A blog about an enthusiastic environmentalist, making the world environmentally aware.
Monday, 10 July 2017
Monday, 3 July 2017
International Plastic Bag Free Day
Today is International
Plastic Bag Free Day and is an annual observance held on the 3rd of
July. It’s a global initiative, placing an important spotlight on either
eliminating or rapidly reducing one’s dependency on single-use plastic bags.
Furthermore, it is about making society aware of the over-consumption of plastic
bags as well as disposable products, working towards developing more
responsible and more environmentally friendly habits. It promotes environmental
conservation as it encourages people to reject plastic bags.
All over the
worlds group hold events to place a spotlight on the threats plastic bags pose
for marine and land ecosystems, and prohibit the production and distribution of
single-use plastic bags, to decrease the use of plastic bags and what the
alternatives to single-use plastic bags are.
Single-use
plastic bags are usually used only one time and has become a symbol of a
consumer society. Not only that but these bags are usually
found on the coast and in the ocean, which means that it has dire consequences
on the marine environment. It’s also responsible, coupled with other litter
items, for the deaths of about 100,000 marine mammals every year.
Thankfully over
the last couple of years, there has been a considerable growth in raising
awareness internationally. As part of this, many countries have already banned
plastic bags. On this day retailers are encouraged to not supply plastic shopping
bags and consumers are encouraged to not use plastic shopping bags. Instead, reusable
bags are promoted.
Did you
know?
·
On average a plastic bag is used
for only 25 minutes
·
It takes between 100 and 500 years
for a plastic bag to disintegrate
·
One million plastic bags are used
around the world every minute
·
80% of marine litter is plastic.
Plastic
Free July
It’s about refusing single-use plastic
during July. This is a very important initiative as it raises awareness of the
problems with single-use disposable plastic and the issues surrounding plastic,
challenges people to do something about it by providing solutions and
alternatives. It’s also about encouraging new environmentally friendly habits.
References
Saturday, 1 July 2017
"An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power" Song
The video features people who have been impacted by environmental disasters. It also shows clips about protests and the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
The video ends with the message of hope.
Watch the lyric video here:
You can help fight climate change!
Saturday, 17 June 2017
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
World Day to
Combat Desertification and Drought, more commonly known as WDCDD is annually
celebrated on the 17th of June. It is a United Nations observance.
It aim at highlighting
ways to prevent desertification and recover from drought. There is an urgent
need to curb the desertification process. It places importance on promoting public
awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. In 1994, the
United Nations General Assembly declared (General Assembly Resolution
A/RES/49/115) June 17 the "World Day to Combat Desertification and
Drought" in order to promote public awareness of the issue, and the
implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in
those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification,
particularly in Africa.
Desertification, according to the UN, “is
the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. It is
caused primarily by human activities and climatic variations”. “Over 250
million people are directly affected by desertification, and about one billion
people in over one hundred countries are at risk”.
Every year it’s
celebrated under a different theme. This year the World Day to Combat
Desertification and Drought looks at the important link between land
degradation and migration. Environmental degradation, food insecurity, and
poverty are causes of migration and development challenges. “In just 15 years,
the number of international migrants worldwide has risen from 173 million in
2000 to 244 million in 2015”. It looks at ways in which local communities can
build resilience against current multi-fold development challenges through
sustainable land management practices.
For more
information on this day, visit: http://www.un.org/en/events/desertificationday/index.shtml
References
Friday, 16 June 2017
World Sea Turtle Day
 |
| Source: YELP |
World Sea Turtle
Day is annually celebrated on the 16th of June. It is about honoring and
highlighting the importance of sea turtles. It provides ample opportunity to
learn more about these fascinating sea creatures and to show your support.
 |
| Source: National Aquarium |
Expand your
turtle knowledge by reading several facts about these wonderful species:
·
There are seven species of sea
turtles to marvel at, but all of them are classified as endangered species.
·
Turtles don’t have teeth - their
upper and lower jaws have sheaths made of keratin.
·
Turtle shells are made of over 50
bones fused together.
·
Species vary considerably in size.
The smallest, Kemp’s ridley, are around 70cm long and up to 40kg in weight
whilst the leatherback can reach up to 180cm and 500kg in weight.
·
Female marine turtles return to the
same beach they hatched on to nest.
·
Only 1 percent of sea turtles live
to reach sexual maturity, which is why female turtles lay hundreds of eggs
while nesting.
·
It’s estimated that as few as 1 in
1,000 marine turtle eggs will survive to adulthood.
·
They can migrate long distances.
 |
| Source: NBS Turtles |
References
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