Saving our oceans, ecosystem, and planet. Is time running out? This World Environment Day check out some of the top ways you can help create a better tomorrow.

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5 June and is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It aims to educate and engage people across the globe to protect the planet and work for a more sustainable future.

The day was first recognised in 1973, making this year the 50^th anniversary. Since it’s conception, the day has taken on a new theme each year to bring attention to different areas of the climate crisis that demand our attention.

This year’s theme is #BeatPlasticPollution.

Plastic Pollution

The world produces 400 million tonnes of plastic waste every single year. Our planet is choking.

Around the world 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, while up to 5 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year.

An estimated 19-23 million tonnes of plastic ends up in lakes, rivers and our ocean every year. This is approximately the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers all together.

11 million tonnes of plastic waste flow annually into oceans. This means that one in two marine turtles have eaten plastic, and 90% of seabird have plastic in their stomach.

Scarily, it is estimated that each person on the planet consumes more than 50,000 plastic particles per year.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom.

The UN have estimated that we could reduce plastic pollution by 80% by 2040, if countries and companies make policy and market shifts using existing technologies. The infrastructure exists. Countries and companies just need to redirect efforts into reducing the amount of plastic waste that exists.

But … what can you do?

Every person can play a role in the reduction of plastic waste. There are many things you can do but to name just a few, you can:

• Switch to reusable products! (Reusable coffee cups, water bottles, etc.) Just switching to reusable products could help reduce 30% of the plastic pollution by 2040.
• Ditch the cling film. Consider using alternatives such as aluminium foil (can be recycled), or sustainable materials (like Beeswax Wraps), or buy a reusable lunchbox.
• Give up gum. Conventional chewing gum is made from plastic, so try and search from the brands that offer plastic-free alternatives.
• Participate in a beach clean. Help our oceans and rivers by participating in a clean-up project.
• Shop sustainably. Where you can, buy products that don’t contain single-use plastic. The reduction in demand for the product will mean that it will slowly disappear off our shelves.

Some of our ESS staff taking part in a beach clean in 2019

It is important to educate yourself as much as possible and educate those around you. Lobby your local governments into introducing policies that will encourage companies to implement changes and invest in a better future.

There are many things that you can do as an individual, however change will come when we all work together to fight plastic pollution.

What do you think? Have we missed anything that you’ll be doing to mark World Environment Day?