World Environment Day
World Environment Day is here. Set up by the United Nations in 1974, the day is as relevant now as it was then. Each World Environment Day sets a theme to raise awareness of pressing concerns. This year the theme is air pollution.
Nobody is safe from air pollution, which comes from five main human sources. We can't change the agriculture and industry overnight, but we can change our own habits right now. Households, waste and transport are three of the five biggest causes of air pollution. So today, for World Environment Day, try one of our tips for reducing your air pollution.
Change your commute:
Globally, transport is responsible for almost one quarter of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Air pollution emissions from transport have been linked to nearly 400,000 premature deaths.* But you can help stop this from rising. Wherever you are going today, try and leave the car at home. Instead of driving, try to walk or cycle or see what public transport options you have on your doorstep. And if you must use the car, offer a friend a lift, one car on the road is better than two.
Avoid the bin:
Across the world 40% of waste is openly burned. Today, try and avoid your bin. Freeze your left overs, take a pack lunch, mend your jeans with the holes... The more we can avoid throwing things in the bin the better. And if you must use the bin, separate your waste. Many areas in the UK have good recycling schemes and some have now started recycling your food waste.
Turn things off at the plug:
How often do you leave your TV on standby? The main cause of household air pollution is the indoor burning of fossil fuels, wood and other biomass-based fuels. While the UK is making steps to reduce our use of fossil fuels, we can all help by switching off the things we're not using.
Educate yourself:
Knowledge is power. Climate change and environmental challenges can be overwhelming. Blue Planet II broke our hearts, protestors filled the world's streets, and we don't know what to do. Don't fear, the WEA is here to help. Keep scrolling to find out what you can learn, including:
- creative recycling,
- understanding local councils
- and exploring nature
Nature and ecology
The sea turtle and the tasty plastic bag: Hove
Day school: the Earth is all before us: Colchester
Nature explorers: London
Nature explorers 1: London
Nature explorers 1: London
Nature matters: getting to grips with British wildlife: Macclesfield
Nature meditation: hearing the butterfly's wings: Liverpool
Suffolk day: wildlife and landscapes of Minsmere and Dunwich Heath: Ipswich
Visit: Hawk and Owl Trust, Sculthorpe: Sculthorpe
Gardening and horticulture
Taster: container gardening: London
Taster: container gardening: London
Taster: living willow garden structure: Liverpool
Taster: maintaining living willow garden structure: Liverpool
An introduction to practical gardening: London
Politics and campaigning
Day school: understanding government: Norwich
How local councils work: Sheffield
History
A history of Sheffield parks and woodlands: Sheffield
A history of Sheffield parks and woodlands: Sheffield
Britain's national parks: Sheffield
Community walk: South Kensington: London
Day school: a brief history of the English garden: Milton Keynes
Historic landscapes: survey 2 practical skills development: Skipton
Historic landscapes: survey 3 geophysical survey: Skipton
Suffolk day: midsummer Ipswich marina walk: Ipswich
Suffolk day: midsummer Ipswich marina walk: Ipswich
Art:
Animals and birds in mosaics: Nottingham
How to draw and paint sea and snow scenes: Telford
Landscape and belonging: Nottingham
Recycled crafts: Morpeth
Home
Poisons in the home: how can we avoid them London
Poisons in the home: how can we avoid them London
Poisons in the home: how can we reduce the risks London
Cooking
Fresh from the farm: Liverpool
Food additives: what are they and how do we avoid them? London
Food additives: what are they and how do we avoid them? London
*https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/what-causes-air-pollution