On World
Environment Day I pose the question

“What difference are we really making?”

by Deborah Thomas, GED Soroptimist International

We reduce our use of plastic,
we recycle, we upcycle. We try to do fewer miles in our vehicles. We endeavour
to consume less electricity, gas and oil and of course providers undertake to
generate increasing percentages of energy from green or renewable means. We are
reducing our dependence on landfill – well, at least we are in the UK. We
educate. Within the #Soroptimist global network we have 1000’s of
environmentally focussed projects as I am sure many other organisations do too.

Our global #Soroptimist
International project ‘See Solar, Cook Solar’ uses solar energy devices to provide
sustainable power to isolated developing communities. For example, sun ovens
are used to simultaneously cook 700 meals. Importantly, the difference here is
that use of solar energy is not an attempt to reduce pollution; solar energy is
the only source of power available to these women and girls. You can read more about See Solar, Cook Solar Fiji  HERE.Read news of See Solar, Cook Solar Uganda HERE.

 

But is the reality of our
efforts to be more environmentally friendly in the developed world, and indeed the
cumulative effect of these efforts very different to our perception?

Are all the materials that we
send off for recycling actually recycled? If so, how ‘clean’ is that process?
Where is it done? Is Upcycling a better option? What are the pros and cons?

How many of us really try and
plan economic use of our vehicles? How many of us are guilty of making a single
journey in a vehicle to take recycling to the local recycling centre and then
feel good about it? We use lower energy lightbulbs, have more efficient boilers
and insulate our homes – but when the flick of a switch or even ‘tap of an app’
will now turn your heating on in seconds if you’re feeling a bit chilly – what
will you do? Go put an extra layer on or flick that switch?

 

Landfill. Now there’s an
interesting debate to be had. As we in the UK reduce our dependence on landfill
where is our non-recyclable waste going? Are we burning it and creating CO₂
emissions? Yes. Are we transporting it 1000’s of miles to bury in another
countries land, thereby generously giving that country a future problem to deal
with? Yes. The consequences clearly evidence that all we are achieving is global
pollution of our shared planet.

 

So as we go about our day on
05 June ‘World Environment Day’ take stock of what you do, consider the real
effect of our so called ‘environmentally friendly ways’ and ask questions, of
yourself, your governments and your organisations.

June 2015