Nature doesn't need social media posts on Environment Day, R K Nair
'Nature doesn't need our social media posts on Environment Day (observed on June 5). It needs our consistent action, our lifestyle choices and our respect,' said Radhakrishna Nair, co-founder of the Enviro Creators Foundation.
Widely known as 'Green Hero' for his initiative to create Miyawaki urban forests in the country, Mr. Nair, delivering the keynote address at the guest lecture, on 'My Planet, My Pride', organised by the Yenepoya (deemed-to-be-university) here recently. The Centre for Environmental Studies, in collaboration with the Eco Club and NSS Unit of Yenepoya Medical College and Research Centre, hosted the programme.
Mr. Nair said that insects, animals, and birds work tirelessly to sustain life on Earth without salary, promotion, or incentives. Yet humans destroy them with chemicals and pollution. Nature, he said, needs consistent human action and lifestyle choices to sustain itself.
He urged everyone to adopt more sustainable practices and embrace an eco-conscious culture. 'Why use a straw when you can drink directly? I carry my own steel plate and tumbler with me wherever I go. If each of us made small changes like this, the planet would breathe easier,' Mr. Nair said.
Hailing from Kasaragod, Mr. Nair has led the creation of over 100 Miyawaki forests across India, including Smritivan in Kutch, Gujarat—the world's largest Miyawaki forest, covering 470 acres. Drawing from this experience, he emphasised the urgent need for grassroots change in individual attitudes and lifestyles.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
BJP's Sankalp to Siddhi campaign to begin this week
Nagpur: BJP's state working president Ravindra Chavan on Tuesday held meetings with Vidarbha-based party officials as part of their nationwide campaign "Sankalp Se Siddhi" which begins this week. This campaign will cover events ranging from environment day to yoga day to marking the anniversary of the Emergency imposed during Indira Gandhi's regime. Addressing the media in Nagpur, Chavan said, "Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India has grown from strength to strength. We have now become the fourth largest economy of the world and will soon rise higher. As part of our campaign, we will be organizing multiple events to ensure that this message reaches a wider audience." "We have around 80 organizational districts in the entire state. Of this, 19 organizational districts are based in Vidarbha. Today's workshop was held specifically for office bearers of these Vidarbha-based organizational districts," Chavan added. The party also has various cells, representing different sections of the society as well as communities. Even office bearers from these cells were part of the workshop held on Tuesday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Conheça o Alarme com Sirene que afasta os Ladrões com 40% Off Verisure Saiba Mais Undo Regarding the anniversary of the Emergency, Chavan said that it was a Black Day for the country. "We must ensure that nobody forgets what happened. PM Narendra Modi has always honoured those who raised their voice against the Emergency and upheld democratic values," Chavan said. The slew of events which the party has planned, will be keeping its members on their toes. This involvement of party cadres in various activities is seen by some as a strategy to keep the outfit in poll readiness. However, BJP leaders disagree saying the party organizes such campaigns to raise public related issues. "We have International Yoga Day coming up, then there's Environment Day. We are the only party which takes the initiative to involve the public in such issues," said a Nagpur-based party member.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
15 hours ago
- Business Standard
World Environment Day 2025: History, theme, significance and host country
Every year on 5 June, the world unites for World Environment Day – an urgent global call to protect the planet. Observed across more than 150 countries, it stands as the largest international platform dedicated to raising awareness and sparking action for the environment. Offices, schools, the government, other organisations, and local bodies host events on World Environment Day to increase public awareness of environmental issues. This year, the spotlight is on plastic pollution, urging communities to confront this mounting crisis and take collective action to safeguard the planet for future generations. What is the World Environment Day 2025 theme? On World Environment Day, urgent environmental issues are brought to light. A different theme is selected each year, addressing topics such as deforestation, global warming, and climate change. "Putting an End to Plastic Pollution" is the 2025 World Environment Day theme. This year, World Environment Day complements the UNEP-led #BeatPlasticPollution campaign to encourage communities throughout the globe to adopt and promote sustainable solutions. World Environment Day: History World Environment Day was established in 1972 during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm. Later that year, the UN General Assembly officially designated June 5 as World Environment Day. The first celebration took place in 1973 with the theme 'Only One Earth,' marking the beginning of what would become the largest global platform for environmental awareness. Since then, Environment Day has grown to be the biggest environmental awareness event in the world. Each year, a host nation spearheads the campaign, which raises awareness of a certain issue. What is the significance of World Environment Day? The triple threat of pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change is worsened by plastic pollution. 11 million tons of plastic garbage are dumped into water environments annually, and microplastics from landfills and sewage build up in soil, causing environmental damage. Between $300 to $ 600 billion is the estimated yearly cost of plastic pollution. Environment Day encourages governments to implement substantive policy reforms in addition to educating the public. Today, more than 150 countries celebrate the day, which encourages clean-up programs, plantation initiatives, awareness-raising campaigns, school events, and environmentally beneficial commitments. Environment Day 2025 special: Impact of plastic pollution in India Approximately one-fifth of the world's plastic garbage is produced in India. Every year, the nation produces between 9.3 and 9.5 million tonnes of plastic waste. This includes the daily generation of about 0.12 kg of garbage per person. Hence, Plastic pollution is harmful in many ways: • Plastic waste contaminates soil and water, blocks drains, and damages wildlife. • Toxic pollutants are released when over 5.8 million tonnes of plastic garbage are burned each year. • Waste management is a big problem in urban regions, particularly in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. • India's extensive coastline is impacted because marine life frequently eats plastic, as they mistake it for food, upsetting the marine ecosystem. • India has to address this by enforcing a stronger plastic ban, enhancing recycling programs, and educating the public in waste management and community cleanup initiatives. Which country is hosting World Environment Day 2025? World Environment Day 2025 will be officially hosted this year by the Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea. Jeju Province, a scenic island renowned for its environmental initiatives and sustainable living patterns, will be the centre of the celebrations. Jeju has taken decisive action to eliminate plastic by 2040. Local governments have boosted recycling, encouraged eco-tourism, and mandated garbage separation at the source. As the host nation, Korea will lead international discussions, policy decisions, and activities aimed at reducing plastic pollution. Panel discussions, cleanup campaigns, public pledges, and innovative displays of plastic alternatives will all be part of the events. A nation will inspire other countries and will share best practices by hosting Environment Day this year.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
World Environment Day 2025: India leads with massive plastic-free campaigns
As the world prepares to mark World Environment Day on 5 June 2025, the spotlight this year falls squarely on one of the planet's most pressing threats – plastic pollution. With plastic waste choking oceans, piling up in landfills, and entering food chains, this year's theme calls for urgent action to reduce, reuse, and recycle. The global campaign aims to unite governments, communities, and individuals in a shared mission to curb plastic use and safeguard the environment for future generations. Ahead of Environment Day 2025, India has launched a nationwide initiative titled "One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution." Environmentalist and social activist Viral Desai, also known as the "Greenman," will start a 7-day tree-planting campaign on June 5 in honour of World Environment Day, and UP has mobilised 22,000 schools to fight "plastic pollution," among other campaigns that have been started before World Environment Day 2025. What is the theme of World Environment Day 2025? The World Environment Day 2025 theme is 'Beat Plastic Pollution', continued with the #BeatPlasticPollution campaign tagline. This theme draws attention to a worldwide issue that still endangers human health, marine life, and ecosystems. The theme urges all parties involved, from citizens and businesses to legislators to cut back on plastic pollution. The theme for Environment Day 2025 encourages eco-friendly substitutes such as biodegradable packaging, reusable containers, and cloth bags. Everyone is urged by the campaign to make thoughtful decisions that will lessen the use of plastic. In anticipation of World Environment Day 2025, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change began a nationwide mass mobilisation campaign on May 23 called "One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution." In a pre-campaign video, Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav urged everyone to embrace sustainable living to eradicate plastic pollution, moving beyond awareness to group action. In an official release, 'This campaign highlights India's unwavering commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, aligned with India's flagship initiative – Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)". "Tik Tik Plastic" is a powerful environmental awareness campaign that has been introduced in Mumbai. A short film starring Bollywood star Ajay Devgn has been released as part of the promotion. Ahead of the World Environment Day 2025, set to take place on June 5, 2025, the BMC posted the short film on the social media site X (Twitter) on Sunday. Every citizen is urged to take action by the short film and its message, protect the environment, use less plastic, and ensure a healthier planet for future generations. With an emphasis on this year's worldwide theme, "Ending Plastic Pollution," East Coast Railway (ECoR) has launched a comprehensive awareness and action campaign from May 22 to June 5 in honour of World Environment Day 2025. This program highlights Indian Railways' dedication to pollution prevention and environmental sustainability by promoting a plastic-free environment in trains, station premises, and railway stations. • Viral Desai's 'Tree Plantation' campaign In honour of World Environment Day, environmentalist and social activist Viral Desai, also referred to as the "Greenman," will launch a 7-day tree-planting campaign on June 5. The initiative to plant 1,000 trees at Surat and Navsari in Gujarat demonstrates Desai's persistent dedication to urban greening and conservation. The program will increase green space and increase public awareness of residents' ecological responsibility. The initiative is highly strategic, promoting ecological improvement, civic engagement, and climate resilience. • UP organises its education system for a huge environmental awareness campaign 1. The state's Directorate of Environment has mandated all 75 districts to execute student-centred activities under the 2025 theme, "End Plastic Globally." 2. A 100-foot collaborative art piece created from recycled materials, 45-minute expert-led workshops, and 12 street plays performances by school groups are all part of the main event at Lucknow's Regional Science Centre, Aliganj. It is anticipated that 30 schools in Lucknow will send around 5,000 students to the main event. 3. Sushant Sharma, the director of environment, confirmed that 22,000 government schools, state-wise, will have local events simultaneously. Additionally, 147 recognised NGOs are organising community cleanup campaigns at significant bodies of water. During awareness walks facilitated by National Service Scheme volunteers, urban local bodies will distribute 50,000 cloth bags in marketplaces. 4. Using microscopes and interactive displays, environmental experts from Lucknow University will lead special workshops that explain the 100-year degradation cycle of plastic items. For student-led plantation campaigns, the state horticulture department has set aside 25,000 saplings, along with monitoring systems to check the survival rates of the saplings for 6 months after the event. To commemorate World Environment Day 2025 and promote the 'Fit India Movement', the Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS) J&K planned many exciting events in several UT districts. 132 people participated in Ramban's cyclothon, and Rajouri's Sundays on Cycle for all zones promoted eco-friendly transportation.
