Here at Lovebug we’re passionate about the planet, and today, June 5th, is World Environment Day. It’s led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and has been held annually on this day since 1974!
What is World Environment Day?
World Environment Day is celebrated all over the world and is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach. Each year it’s hosted by a different country, and this year, for 2022, it’s hosted by Sweden.
Back in 1972, the first ever United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was held in Stockholm, putting sustainable development on the global agenda and leading to the founding of World Environment Day.
That first conference’s slogan was “Only One Earth”, and this year, 50 years later, World Environment Day’s campaign is taking that same slogan. This year’s campaign is #OnlyOne Earth—highlighting the emergency facing our planet. The UNEP says: “We are using the equivalent of 1.6 Earths to maintain our current way of life, and ecosystems cannot keep up with our demands.”
Our planet is facing a combined ‘triple threat’ of climate heating, habitat loss, and pollution. We only have one planet, and big changes are needed. The World Environment Day 2022 campaign, #OnlyOneEarth, calls for collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet.
Sustainability as standard
In order to make changes, sustainable options need to become the default for everyone, and this starts with making sustainable solutions affordable and accessible. According to the UNEP, “our lifestyles are associated with two thirds of all greenhouse gas emissions - studies show that sustainable lifestyles and behaviours could reduce our emissions by 40 to 70% by 2050.” Vital elements of daily life need to be transformed: from our homes and cities, to energy, transport and trade.
Of course, as individuals we can only do so much. Governments and corporations hold much of the power when it comes to changing the way our world works and opening up opportunities for a more sustainable future. But that doesn’t mean that we as individuals can’t do our bit as well.
At Lovebug we’ve developed our cat food to be good for both cats and the planet, providing cats with complete and balanced nutrition while reducing environmental pawprints. We’re passionate about providing pawrents with more sustainable solutions, and our environmentally-friendly cat food is just one example. We believe that by making it easier to make those small switches in everyday life, it can all add up and make a big difference.
Switching to sustainable solutions has wide reaching benefits, and not just for the planet. The UN states: “Sustainable consumption and production can drive economic development, mitigate climate change, positively impact health and pollution, and help alleviate poverty.” And it’s never been more important.
The organisers of World Environment Day have put together a practical guide to living sustainably, which is available to download and was developed especially for this year’s event. You can also take a look at our 22 steps for a more sustainable lifestyle full of planet-positive changes you can make.