This year’s World Environment Day is more important than ever


As the world continues to deal with the effects of COVID-19, the sense has only intensified that, no matter where we are on the globe, we’re in this together and that whatever we do on one side of the world has a profound impact somewhere – or even everywhere – else.

 

That’s made World Environment Day all the more meaningful this year.

 

Established by the United Nations in 1972 and held for the first time in 1974, World Environment Day raises awareness on environmental issues like human overpopulation, global warming, marine pollution and sustainability.

 

This year’s theme spotlights biodiversity – the variety of life in every habitat, from large animals to plants and fungi and the smallest organisms – and how humans are intimately linked to and depend on nature for our existence and quality of life. It’s predicted that, within the next 10 years, around 1 million species – one in four existing today – may be wiped out all across the planet. It’s an alarming rate of extinction that’s hundreds of times faster than the average over the last 10 million years and it’s largely due to our unsustainable use of nature in human activity.

 

If we continue on this path, the loss of biodiversity will have severe effects not just for other life but for ours as well – from the collapse of food and health systems to the disruption of entire supply chains.

 

Many scientists believe the COVID-19 crisis is itself the result of the effects of climate change. As humans encroach on previously untouched natural habitats in our need for more natural resources, we’re exposing ourselves to pathogens we’ve never been in contact with before. Plus, the growth of mass produced foods created in large-scale farms and megabarns is creating a perfect environment for livestock and poultry to pass along mutated and new diseases, like swine flu, H1N1, and COVID-19, directly to us.

 

Natural historian David Attenborough has said “Never has it been more important to understand how the natural world works and how to help it.” To learn more about our role in the health of the planet and what you can do to preserve the planet’s biodiversity, visit worldenvironmentday.global.

 

What are you doing, large and small, to protect the planet? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Shop Talk blog community forum – we always love hearing from you!

 

 

Did you know? We’re having a profound effect on the planet

 

Humans have changed 75% of the earth’s land surface and 2/3 of the oceans. In fact, we’ve lost one third of all forests compared to pre-industrial levels and half of all coral reefs. (Source)

49 thoughts on “This year’s World Environment Day is more important than ever

  1. We were at Kent at Dartmouth Crossing and with everything going on in the world today I Want to say thank you to your staff for being so friendly and helpful.

  2. Great article! I agree. Everyone needs to do their part. I try. I choose all natural products for cleaning. I recycle. I buy local off farmers for my produce from growers who are organic & use no sprays or pesticides. I

  3. Climate change and the Wuhan virus are related in they both use scare tactics. They are also a means by which governments exert their authority. They also facilitate wealth redistribution and devaluation (and exploitation). They are also non-existent threats. So yeah I do agree they are related.
    Humans have a profoundly positive effect on the earth. It is the earth that tries to kill us and not the other way around.

  4. We should start at our own backyards . We should plant trees especially if you are living on the countryside where there are enough space to plant trees. When someone take one tree, he shoukd replace it and plant at least one to help our environment to recover. I know, there’s a place that required couple’s who wants to get married to plant ten (10) trees before they get their license or permit to get married. This is a nice way to help relief the disaster in what’s happening in our world.

  5. I truly believe the over population. This virus had killed more people so quickly in every part of the world, not in a country but the world. There are too much waste, too much process food. Too much technology. I was reading books about technology would take over the world. The Uni bomber was crazy but he was saying computers would take over the world maybe he was right, not right to kill people over it, but just what he was saying. Computers are useful, but maybe they have gone too far. Pollution is down because not too many cars on the road, no one is travelling, but for how long.
    Mother Nature put a hold on everything for a while so the world would survive, so we have to be patient.

  6. Just another scare tactic. Articles don’t match up. One is about animals moving to cooler climates which would move them away from the most populated areas not closer. And as for humans disturbing bio ecosystems most of that was done between the 70s and 90s. Most likely this is a man made disease concocted in some laboratory or an reaction from scientists messing with things that they shouldn’t be. Stop trying to scare people to make money just like “global warming” which made billions then quickly changed to climate change when people realized the lie. Other scenario is it’s like cancer and no one will ever be able to explain it but they will find a way to make money off of it. So just stop! If you don’t know what you’re talking about do everyone a favour and keep your mouth shut

  7. My husband and I work very hard at helping the environment… this is always on my mind . Every time I drive into work I see fast food packaging, coffee cups etc . It makes my blood boil! I recycle every single item that is allowed !!! We plant more and more flowers , trees fall and spring to help not only the environment but also nature . We feed the wee birds , and wait holding our breath for the hummers . If our income could afford to make our home as green as possible it would have been done long ago . Why isn’t it more affordable? I watch the news with so much sadness … so much devastation! This was not how my parents raised me or my siblings . I am 63 and was raised to love and respect nature and our planet . I believe my parents were way beyond their years , they must have known what was to come .

  8. We have stopped eating animal secretions or animal flesh, and have become plant-based. We have stopped using any pesticides on our yard. We drive a hybrid car, and we also use a rechargeable lawnmower.
    We use a clothesline to dry her clothes naturally and we stopped buying paper towels and use reusable towels. We also planted a garden and collect rainwater to feed the gardens.

  9. Yes it is obveus that there is way to much polution. When we see smoge hanging in the air over large cities that has to be a severe health risk to life big and small we have to realize we have a real problem. I also feel that more needs to be done to break down plastics in a safe way. I feel scince could figure a way and I am sure plastics could and should be replaced with biodegradable alturnatives. I can still remember how fresh the air smelled in the early mornings in the 50s and early 60s. But not any more and I feel that is do to polution

  10. The environment hasn’t change; its human beings who have changed. No one wants to keep our climate clean by cleaning out their bottles or anything that needs to be cleaned when throwing out to the proper recycling; trees are being destroyed by bugs which are eating away the beauty of them; people are throwing garbage out in the forest lands and not putting in the proper containers to protect our lands; fires are being used when no one listens to the government not to use fires or if you prefer “keep our lands free from garbage & fires. There is no respect today for this action of ours and if this is the way people are today GOD forgive them for being so irresponsible.

  11. This article is fantastic… i would like to share this on facebook – people EVERYWHERE need to read and heed this information!!

  12. If some people would stop having 2,3,4 wives and 25 kids each, we would not be in this over populated world, the governments do not stop this, , so stop whinning then, most governments have no clue what they are doing, ASK THE PEOPLE , WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF IDEAS, BUT WONT LISTEN

  13. We have had low-energy lightbulbs in our home for decades, The Canadian NorthWest Territories has been energy-efficient for over a generation, out of real necessity – and it is NOT difficult! Turning the thermostat down a couple of degrees is easy, even when it is Minus 40 outside. Insulation, draftstoppers on the doors, and wearing sweaters – very simple. Anybody can do it!

  14. I used to get a sample package for years from shoppers voice and now I have not gotten anything in 2 years was just wondering why not

    1. Thanks for your comment. Samples and coupons come now directly from our partners over the course of the year. Whether you get one depends on your survey answers. For example, if you tell us you have a dog, then you’re likely to receive a sample or coupon for a pet-related product or service.

  15. We are destroying our world with all the poisonous materials we are producing. It has to stop. People are dying because of the poison we are using and is poisoning everything, from birds to animals and plants. When will people open their eyes to what is happening.

  16. Dear Sir or Madam,

    I am extremely disturbed that Shoppers’ Drug Mart is a part of this hysteria and propaganda. Yes, the world needs to be treated with care for its animals, plants, air, water and soil but I don’t want to hear from you about on this virtue signaling nonsense. We are building up our forests from pre-industrial times. Europe has more forests by far than 100 years ago. We have not destroyed half of coral reefs. We certainly have not changed 2/3 of the ocean. This is totally false and I can send plenty of links to support that.

    I look for you to provide products I am interested in, not to be subject to this nonsense. Check your sources of information, what you provided is false.

    It will certainly make me consider other companies when I shop.

  17. The planet is slowly turning back to where it was a little healthier than before which is such a good thing due to non travel and less cars on the roads but once this co-vid is over we unfortunately will probably go back to the way it was before which will be a shame. Hopefully we will learn from this

  18. I recycle and compost, I clean the beaches and lakes when I see garbage. I constantly remind others to take care of the earth, because if ppl keep polluting our earth will die

  19. This is all so true. Global warming has been happening for hundreds of years. There is no reason why we as human race had to litter our land and oceans killing the environment.

  20. Dear fellow earthlings, in Japan when you go to the washroom, and after you have done what you went in to do, you will wash your hands but there will be no hand towels or any other sort of drier for your hands.
    people there carry their own towels to dry their hands takes it home to wash it. What a nice idea! The
    implication of this is many….for the earth. I am now carrying my towel too. Maryanne

  21. I am a Canadian I have lived here for 62 years My father Left me Some Land I am not Raceses But in the Last couple of years the people that moved here from other Country’s . The Politicians in Ottawa are selling out our country the Houses that are been Built ed right now taring down old Apartments Bld’s and people can’t a ford the new Places and they are moving out to the Country all the time when is it going to stop pretty soon there will be no Land to grow Food and then what they will all have there money after selling everthing and no food.I could sit and Right for the next couple of days and No Farther a head .

  22. What am I doing to protect the planet? First of all, I’m vegan. I was vegetarian for more than 50 years and stopped eating/buying all animal products 4 years ago. Also, I’m a member of environmental groups trying to stop a diluted bitumen pipeline expansion from the Alberta Tar Sands. I’m also doing my utmost to convince all levels of government to bring in a Green New Deal. Social justice and environmental justice go hand-in-hand.

  23. Like the article states I do believe covid19 and Climate Change are definitely related. We as a Country like Canada, have been going too far, in encroaching on the Perma-Frost areas, of our Country Fracking and the constant digging of the Tar Sands is a disgustingly damaging process, that will definitely be our undoing if it continues!

  24. The only way to help Nature is; I’m sorry to say Meat is man biggest mistake in 2020;Earlier years when man was trying to survived among wild predators meat protein was useful; Now with Technology,we have controlled all animal species ;Most manual work is robotic so why so much protein so rapidly, when we know the proven fact too much bad fat,especially in processed foods of any kind;Today most work is done sitting down;Another problem is birth-control.where only female feel the brunt of responsibility; we have reversible-vasectomy,a boy becoming 12 years old get the surgery; when he becomes a man who wants to have a family …well he gets it reversed, and you won’t see babies with no fathers to provide for what he has created..Another thing Religion has done good in the world ,but today it is a industry.Spirituality,has nothing to do with Religions,Evil only exist in humans;In the real world Positive,equal good, for you; Negative is bad, for you Neutral is Equilibrium.I believe in Spirituality,and Christians Values are derived for Hinduism,where Jesus of Nazareth went as a young man and came back mature at 30 years old;Jews and Christians of all sects,don’t talk about it ,because I guess,ha was not a White Roman of those days.

  25. My husband and I got bicycles last fall and we take them to do small errands instead of starting up our vehicle for short trips. The environment benefits and so do we.

    1. I think that stopping to use a car to replace it by a bicycle for example is a very good idea but to be honest I think that at least half of the motors using petroleum should be replaced gradually like we see now in Canada to bring a real difference in gaz consumption and therefore give the planet a real good chance to survive gradually or bit by bit .

  26. i walk to get my errands done, and over buy to have to really work my arms and legs carrying it all back hone. only 20 mins there but turns out to be uphill hone and longer due to fatigue

  27. My spouse drives an electric scooter. We are faithful in recycling and sorting. We pick up garbage in our area too. Most people that have a dog do pick up the waste and put in a green bin and lots of people compost too! My grandpa made a compost bin over 60 years ago and his vegetables in his garden were super!

  28. Ah – I knew it wouldn’t be long before the virus was linked to climate change. Too hot – climate change; too cold – climate change; floods – climate change; fires – climate change; pollution – climate change; hail – climate change, etc. etc. So tired of it – there have been floods, fires, and everything else mentioned since the beginning. When is this hoax going to end?

  29. I have been recycling even though the road service has been cancelled temporarily. I took one load to the spot where they organize it. It looks like I’ll have to do it again. Also I’m not burning my own garbage this year just taking it to nuisance grounds where there is only spot for burning. I urge everyone to do the same. I compost as much as I can. This will probably be my last cellphone because they only last two years more stuff for the nuisance grounds. So I urge everyone to find an alternative for your emails and communique. Learn how to use a landline again.

  30. Let’s promote long-lasting appliances, to reduce landfill & pollution. Mandatory long warranties should be legislated, to force quality products. Manufacturers have been deliberating building in flaws for short-lived items: they do know how to build lasting products – they had been doing it for years previously.

  31. During this Covid crisis, it is evident just within our own communities that the air is fresher with little to no pollution. People seem to be more receptive to just a little hello or a how are you today, it seems to me that we are getting our humanity and manners toward each other back like it used to be many decades ago. There is still a little humanity left in us, we really do care about each other and the planet. Let’s not let it slip away again, we could find a happy medium.

  32. We have started to grow some plants, flowers in the lawn in front of the house and small balcony so that it help environmentally to neighborhoods and its province.

  33. We Recognize our world is changing around us used to get what they call 4 season snow Rain sunny & ice billets now it’s getting so hot here.and other places are getting what we had through the years..We go and. pick up garbage from highways and on our beautiful trails where we take walks.sometimes lots of cans & bottles .we try to keep our town clean and helping the Environment too.

  34. You picked the WRONG person to engage in this discussion. Global warming is a hoax perpetrated by Globalists looking to feed off wary ‘taxpayers’. What happened to the coming ‘Ice Age’ of the 70’s?

    Ice age predicted in the 70s
    “[M]any publications now claiming the world is on the brink of a global warming disaster said the same about an impending ice age – just 30 years ago. Several major ones, including The New York Times, Time magazine and Newsweek, have reported on three or even four different climate shifts since 1895.”
    (Fire and Ice)

    THEN, in 2006, in Al Gore’s ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ – Gore declared that unless we took “drastic measures” to reduce greenhouse gasses, the world would reach a “point of no return” in a mere ten years. He called it a “true planetary emergency.” Well, the ten years passed today, we’re still here, and the climate activists have postponed the apocalypse. Again.

    Take a large ice cube, put it in a glass, then fill the glass FULL. Let it sit and melt…where’s the water level rise? IT DOESN’T! Why?? Because water expands when it freezes you geniuses. And we’ve had some colder winters lately. Oh, forgive me. Cold winters are due to Global warming…

    Lets go with the Scientists, that perpetrates this hoax. NOT the science itself.

    CO2 is not a pollutant
    ‘To suddenly label CO2 as a “pollutant” is a disservice to a gas that has played an enormous role in the development and sustainability of all life on this wonderful Earth. Mother Earth has clearly ruled that CO2 is not a pollutant.’ (Robert Balling, as quoted by Popular Technology)

    NO Robert Balling does NOT hold the only scientific view on this. MANY do but are silenced by the ‘Mocking Bird’ Media and the Globalist agenda.

    Remember, 1970’s-unavoidable ‘Ice Age’

    2000’s- destructive ‘Global Warming’ resulting in calamity by 2016…still waiting and N America has reduced CO2 output.

    Pack your winter coats in your life boats and be prepared.

  35. Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview, your comment will be visible after it has been approved.

    Thanks a lot! After ALL that, it doesn’t fit the narrative so it won’t be posted. At the very least post this:
    🤨
    Remember, 1970’s-unavoidable ‘Ice Age’

    2000’s- destructive ‘Global Warming’ resulting in calamity by 2016…still waiting and N America has reduced CO2 output.

    Pack your winter coats in your life boats and be prepared.

  36. COVID19 is the fault of Climate Change? Who wrote this CRAP? Why not Donald Trump if you’re going to be so ridiculous! Whoops, you already have Trump as the father of COVID19…my bad.

  37. Yes all this is important. One thing that is very important is to buy less and stop throwing things. When we were kids our generation used to wear clothes from our cousins. We were not buying things that you only wear a few times. Also every time you sow seeds for food without putting artificial fertilizers in the ground, you are doing something that is good for the planet. If we all did something, the positive consequences would be great. Every time you buy organic, you are helping the planet because it encourages more farmers to go organic. Many small things that we do can bring huge positive consequences on our environment. Start making changes that will help you, others and the planet.

  38. I have ideas to change of the environment and in a big portion but big portions take long times the covid-19 it’s going to be around for a very long time I don’t think it should be until they find a virus then we will know then put the change the world we could change it for talking about vegetation and whole bunch please ask more!…

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