There are 365 days in a year, and some of the days are more important and memorable to us than others. We celebrate our birthdays, give thanks, and reflect upon how well we are alive to celebrate the day we were born. We celebrate New Years’ Day with fireworks, parades, and reflection upon the last year while looking ahead to the future’s possibilities. Are you also aware of the different environmental days in the year that we should remember, celebrate, and take action for the sake of our planet and nature?
There are many significant international days throughout the year that focus on environmental issues. These environmental observances and world day campaigns create awareness of different themes and spark ideas for how to act. They offer us opportunities to know more about our environment and participate in creating a brighter future for everyone. Some of these days are proclaimed by governments or inter-governmental bodies such as the United Nations. Others are launched by non-profit or community groups.
Environmental days are useful instruments to raise awareness for sustainability efforts. People around the globe celebrate these days in many ways and activities such as concerts, conventions, parades, lectures, movie screenings, volunteer activities, or specific theme-based events like beach clean-up or tree planting. For instance, the month of June every year witnesses a fruitful celebration of World Environment Day (5 June), World Oceans Day (8 June), World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (17 June), and World Rainforest Day (22 June). They combine to remind us that the protection and health of the environment is a significant issue, which affects the well-being of people throughout the world. PolyU also echoed the celebration of these days and staged a variety of events in the past years, particularly engaging workshops and lectures to spread the message of ‘love the nature’ in June.
In June 2020, PolyU launches the new online platform – Live GREEN – as its principal outreaching vehicle for encouraging action for the protection of our environment, which echoes well with World Environment Day. A special section that summarises important environmental days of the year is included on this platform, offering easy-to-read information and historical facts about these memorable dates. We can take this as a valuable and meaningful opportunity to broaden the basis for an enlightened opinion and responsible conduct in preserving and enhancing the environment and reflect on our interaction with the natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
