On this momentous global occasion of World Environment Day, the City of Johannesburg is on board with initiatives that demonstrate unwavering commitment to preserving our planet and actively effecting change for the better. Since its inception in 1973, World Environment Day has garnered global support and serves as an annual platform for raising awareness and inspiring action in safeguarding the environment.
Embracing the spirit of this significant day (Monday, 5 June), the City has curated a comprehensive programme for the month of June, celebrating knowledge dissemination and proactive efforts aimed at fostering an impact on the environment.
Lunelle Serobatse, a Director within the City’s Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD), says key initiatives, including the Environment Month Youth Camp and a dedicated school holiday programme, are planned for June.
Serobatse says the youth camp, centred around this year’s theme of ‘Solutions to Plastic Pollution,’ aligns with the worldwide #BeatPlasticPollution campaign. The focus lies on the City’s waste management by-laws, which advocate for responsible and sustainable management of dry waste materials, particularly plastics, with disposal as the last resort.
Through dialogue, practical problem-solving exercises, and a range of activities, the youth camp aims to enrich and enlighten young minds, enhancing their understanding of environmental sustainability, she explains.
“As part of EISD’s education and awareness programmes, we will also embark on a school’s holiday programme as the second initiative, which is in line with the South African school holiday calendar,” Serobatse adds.
She says the programme seeks to engage learners from different schools during their recess, enlightening them on various environmental topics.
“The engaging sessions will be conducted in a fun and interactive manner, with the inclusion of the educational production “Lisakhanya,” designed to educate learners about climate change, global warming, and pollution,” Serobatse says.
The sessions will take place at multiple educational centres across Johannesburg, including libraries and the Joburg Theatre. Each day of the programme, from June 26 to June 30th, will target a group of 40 learners.
World Environment Day holds immense significance as it contributes to transforming behaviours and attitudes towards the environment, says Jenny Moodley, the General Manager of Stakeholder and Public Relations at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo.
“When people are made aware of the problems that our planet is facing, they are more likely to make changes in their own lives to help reduce their ecological impact,” Moodley says.
She adds that World Environment Day plays a pivotal role in fostering environmental consciousness among businesses and governments and fostering a collective commitment to environmental protection.
Moodley says businesses, schools, and residents have ample opportunities to commemorate World Environment Day by organising awareness-raising events, implementing sustainable practises within their own operations, and educating students about environmental issues and their potential to have influence.
“Residents make changes through personal actions, such as recycling, composting, and water conservation.”
Moodley says only by working together can society effect substantial change for the environment.
World Environment Day serves as a catalyst for initiating transformative action. “I take great pride in being part of a City that actively participates in and makes conscious efforts towards change,” she says.
Watch this space for in-depth narratives that delve into the City’s remarkable journey towards minimising its environmental footprint.