Every year, 5 June is celebrated by millions internationally as World Environment Day (WED). Established in 1972 by the United Nations, WED is one of the principal vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness for the environment and encourages positive action.
As an affiliate of the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha celebrated World Environment Day in the UK with a presentation supporting this year’s theme, THINK•EAT•SAVE REDUCE YOUR FOODPRINT, and building upon the UN Secretary-General’s Zero Hunger Challenge.
The presentation was displayed at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London throughout the week and also took place during the evening assemblies over the weekend at BAPS mandirs around the country. It comprised a series of eye-opening facts about food wastage and practical tips on safely cutting back.
DID YOU KNOW: A third of global food production is either wasted or lost – even as 1 billion people go to bed hungry and 20,000 children under the age of 5 die from starvation every day.
– Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
To help reduce wastage and lessen the burden on global resources, devotees and visitors were encouraged to make a number of small but important lifestyle changes. These included:
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DON’T buy more food than you really need
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FREEZE IT! Freeze fresh produce and leftovers if you won’t have the chance to eat them before they go bad
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GROW an organic garden and your own delicious food
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GET SMART about less waste, great taste – plan meals, use shopping lists and avoid impulse buys
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EAT ORGANIC and locally grown foods and help reduce the clearing of forests for agricultural land
The initiative continues the on-going efforts of BAPS in raising awareness about and supporting positive change for the environment. Other recent projects include observing Earth Hour and recycling clothes for Climate Week.
To learn more about the UN’s THINK•EAT•SAVE campaign, please click here.
For more information about World Environment Day and the Zero Hunger Challenge, please follow the respective links.
Disclaimer: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.