REFLECTIONS ON WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL DAY 5TH JUNE 2012. By Mwamba John

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations in 1972 to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and encourage political attention and action. It is celebrated annually on 5 June. The United Nations has declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All and the theme for World Environment Day this year is Green Economy: Does it include you?

World Environment Day 2012 is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of a 'green' economy in improving human wellbeing and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. There were countless activities that you, your friends, your church and your local community got involved with.

The Copperbelt University wildlife management and biology society team celebrated World Environment Day in full force on Tuesday, 5^th June 2012! We spent the morning in Mufulira at golf club. The cerebration was attended by over 600 pupils from basic and secondary schools from Kitwe, students from the Copperbelt University and Zambia Forestry College, workers from different companies and directors from different companies. The event was chiefly organized by Zambia Environmental agency. These companies’ offices recognized on their LEED platinum certification and spreading the word about the ZEMA Environment Program’s transformative work locally and globally. Speeches, dramas and poems related to green economy were presented and from our society Eneya Msimuko a very committed member presented a speech on how the 40^th anniversary of World Environmental Day fittingly coincided with the objectives of the less than one year newly, loudly and committed environmental society from the Copperbelt university and acknowledged this year’s World Environmental Day theme, “Green Economy: Does It Include You?”  He recognized the important role each one of us must play in establishing a green economy by having not only respect for our planet but also concern for future generations. He pondered and gave a clue on how to implement many environmental initiatives, use resources wisely, and engage in sustainable investing. He saluted the work that the ZEMA has undertaken national wide in addressing this critical issue and further recognized present companies for translating global causes into local action. He then passed the microphone to Copperbelt minister.

In an interview Chipango Kamboyi the president of Wildlife Society remarked that although Tuesday marked four decades of the important work that ZEMA has done, there is much more progress to be made. The society understands that establishing a green economy is the pathway to a healthier environment and hoped that our event would encourage other corporations and all of us as global citizens to engage collectively in tackling environmental issues. On another interview Wasamuni Kaluwe echoed for “governments, businesses and all members of society to make the holistic choices that will ensure a sustainable future”. As an example of holistic approach, Eneya talked about our ZEMA programs through which middle to high school students come together to discuss and learn about world issues including clean water, sustainable development, and environmental stewardship. He noted that ZEMA model is a viable solution to fill an educational gap.

Although Tuesday’s event had a corporate emphasis, wildlife society and ZEMA underscored the importance of a collective effort from corporations, government, and citizens to take concrete steps towards real change. The minister spoke on behalf of the mine minister about environmental leadership in mining regions, companies and learning institutions.

Mwale Gilbert the chairperson of article writing committee observed that many Christians nevertheless were coming to a biblical understanding that we have a particular responsibility to explore what might be alternative understandings of the meaning of 'progress' and 'wellbeing' and how these understandings might shape the way we live as people in community connected with the planet. For example the Judeo-Christian tradition, like many other religious traditions, is clear about the dangers of pursuing wealth to the exclusion of all other things and the principles of economic justice and the sacredness of the earth are central to the vision of how God calls us to live together on this planet.

In an interview Sompa Bryson commented that celebrating World Environment Day is a wonderful opportunity for us to carefully consider the actions we must take, as individuals and together so that we might live in more sustainable ways and commit ourselves to keep searching for new alternative understandings. It is also an opportunity to think about how we are progressing as a nation towards a clean and renewable energy future. Two days after environmental the society carried out a keep Chimfunshi nature reserve clean campaign. 

Members of wildlife society at Chimfunshi Nature Reserve

This year World Environment Day fell on Tuesday 5^th June but these World Environment Day resources may be used at any time. There are specific reflections for the lectionary readings on 3 June, being the closest Sunday to World Environment Day and this same day riverside ward councilor Kang’ombe Christopher donated two bins to the society wording keep CBU clean by wildlife society.

However, how did you celebrate World Environment Day on 5^th June 2012? What steps did you take to support sustainability at global and local levels? WED may be just one day but supporting our environment is a daily commitment. Not only was it a fantastic way to strengthen our relationships with ZEMA and companies but also created opportunities of bonding among our staff and interns. And of course, we brightened up the Copperbelt university school of natural resources by donating a bin and help cleaning Chimfunshi nature reserve and helped our environment with a simple, concrete step. Changing the world really is up to each of us! By so doing we maintained to our enshrined yardsticks and to the slogan of our society; conserving wildlife through science and sensitization.

Share with us your experiences, comments and recommendations. Send emails to wildlifemgtsociety@gmail.com