Earth Day Celebration, 22 April 2024
Contributed by Peter Lentsoane (Pr.Sci.Nat.), Social & Environmental Specialist | HOD Social Performance & Stakeholder Engagement
Background and Significance of the Earth Day
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated every year, on the 22nd of April, initially in the US, to remind ourselves about the importance and significance of the planet Earth to human life and survival. In other countries, Earth Day is associated with the time when the sun crosses the plane of the equator, whereby the length of the day and night are equal – a phenomenon called Spring Equinox. In the southern hemisphere, where South Africa is found, this happens around September and, in African cultural practice, Earth Day resembles the beginning of the new year.
The Theme for Earth Day 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics“.
The purpose of this theme is to encourage and influence everyone (scientists, educators, artists, youth, environmental activists, etc.) to volunteer and demand governments to promote innovation, act against impacts emanating from plastics and safeguard life and the planet. Earth Day is one of the largest environmental movements which has an unwavering commitment to end plastics for the sake of human health and the planet, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040.
The Impacts and Effects of Plastic Pollution
The life cycle impacts of plastic production, use, and disposal are quite significant and involve substantial amounts of energy use and CO2 emission releases in the plastic production and incineration process. Other challenges with plastic use and handling are the single-use culture; reliance and habitual use of plastics for packaging, carry bags and storage containers; and littering behaviours. These factors promote increased plastic manufacturing, waste generation and pollution. The biggest challenge with plastic waste is that it can take up to 20 to 500 years to decompose, and even when it happens, it never completely disappears.
Over 430 million tonnes of plastics are produced each year, and most of the plastic is from China. Two-thirds of the products are used once and end up generated as waste. Approximately 11 million tonnes of plastic waste are disposed of and dumped or littered in the environment, thereby ending up in the stormwater channels, rivers and oceans. Furthermore, the consequential effects of plastic pollution lead to devastating impacts which include, significant losses of aquatic and marine biodiversity, reduced ecosystem services, declining food security, increasing food basket prices, decline in the tourism economy and increasing stakeholders or social complaints.
What we stand for at Shangoni
One of our fundamental values at Shangoni is to be Stewards of the Planet – At Shangoni we are firmly rooted in the protection of the planet– we are “of the earth, for the earth”. As Shangonians, we strongly believe in taking the following practical actions:
- To care for the earth and engage all stakeholders to influence decisions that may affect the environment, ecosystem services, health and livelihoods of people and communities.
- Influencing and empowering stakeholders with knowledge and information to be involved and act responsibly, take or be of initiatives to do good and make the right choices about the environment and project-affected people and communities is at the heart of our services and social responsibility.
- We believe that education and awareness, equality and leading by example will inspire people to change their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviour about the planet and get involved in Taking Action.
On this day, the Shangonians will embark on various campaign actions to make a positive impact on the environment and society. Therefore, we have identified simple and impactful ways to contribute to Earth Day celebration and it entails the following:
Simple but Positive Impactful Ways to Contribute to Earth Day Celebration
- Planting trees and blooming garden plants – trees and blooming plants promote biodiversity and ecosystem services as a source of food security and protection against climate change impacts. Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra) is renowned for its CO2 sequestration capabilities.
- Groceries packaging, carry bags and food consumption – As far as reasonably possible, avoid the use of plastics as carry bags, and reuse existing bags or use alternative user-friendly bags. Buy necessities only, eat healthily, avoid over consumption and unnecessary expenses, and try reducing consumption of red meat and processed foods. It is not so easy, but it has positive results and spinoffs.
- Anti-littering and clean-up – Pledge commitment to anti-littering and responsible environmental care. Be intentional and organise a simple wellness and safe group walk to pick up plastics, and any other litter, away from waterways and around facilities (shopping areas, schools, office blocks, churches, taxi ranks, etc.). See if you can also separate waste and recyclables.
- Do a simple waste audit – Focus on and record how much or how many plastic materials (plastic bottles) are used and collected in the office and how much print paper is used every month.
- Biodiversity knowledge, charities, and initiatives – Find out about protected species and how many you can identify in the area, take a picture and its location, and share the picture with biodiversity sites. You can also donate to biodiversity and education charities.
- Environmental education and awareness campaigns – Use the slogan “Each Teach Other” and visit schools and vulnerable and needy centres, such as home-based care centres, to share knowledge about the planet, environmental rights and challenges faced now and in the future.
Our Mission and Values
Be a Steward – Slow down plastic generation and waste.
Influence – Take initiative, and involve others to make decisions against anti-littering and anti-waste dumping impacts in communities and along the roads.
Teamwork – Be the influencers.
