World Environment Day 2014

"Raise Your Voice, not the Sea level"

World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.
In support of the UN designation of 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), WED this year will adopt SIDS in the broader context of climate change as its theme. 
Of utmost importance is to highlight and encourage a greater understanding of the importance of SIDS and of the urgency to help protect the islands in the face of growing risks and vulnerabilities, particularly as a result of climate change.
 
Every single action counts and therefore we need to care for our earth and become individual agents of change.

To join in the worldwide celebration, our Barbados Government Information Service has declared World Environment Day Social Media Pledges where members of the public are encouraged to take "selfies" pledging to promote good environmental practices and upload photos of themselves participating in any of the suggested pledges to its Facebook page.

BGIS
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2014
SOCIAL MEDIA PLEDGES
On this World Environment Day 2014, I pledge to:
1. BUY LOCAL- support a small farmer or visit a local market.
2. EAT LOCAL- visit a “fish-fry” or try a “green-pea rice and local pork stew”
3. GROW LOCAL- kitchen gardening is also good exercise.
4. Take my own REUSABLE BAG when I go shopping.
5. Purchase items with LESS PACKAGING.
6. CAR POOL at least once per week.
7. Use PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION more regularly.
8. WALK more regularly.
9. PLANT A TREE.
10. Check for, and REPAIR LEAKY FAUCETS.
11. USE A BUCKET instead of a hose when I wash my car.
12. TURN THE SHOWER OFF while soaping.
13. Use A CUP OF WATER for rinsing while brushing my teeth.
14. START A RECYCLING CLUB at home or at work.
15. Conduct a HOME ENERGY AUDIT
16. BUY ENERGY-EFFICIENT appliances and fixtures
17. Maintain the appropriate TYRE-PRESSURE for your vehicle
18. Participate in a BEACH CLEAN-UP
19. Learn to SWIM
20. Participate in a NATURE OR HERITAGE HIKE
21. WEAR GREEN ON JUNE 5TH to show your commitment to environmental stewardship.

I won't be uploading any photos, but I can safely say that I can pledge my commitment to several of the above suggestions....many of which I already take pride in doing.

"Planet Earth is our shared island, let us join forces to protect it."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the launch of the 2014 International Year of Small Islands and Developing States.