Blog by Mary Muia, SI UN Rep Nairobi Centre.

“Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually on 5 June since 1973, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world.  Also called “The Earth Day” this year it is hosted by Sweden under the campaign slogan; ONLY ONE EARTH! with the focus on Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature. #OnlyOneEarth #WorldEnvironmentDay2022.

Shirley Sabrina (left) and Tiffany Maigua(Right) joins Mary Muia, SI UN Rep in Planting Coconut Trees at Bahari Beach Hotel Mombasa Kenya.

“Being passionate about the environment is being passionate about life and yours to be specific”, states Tiffany Maigua, who teamed up with Shirley Sabrina a fellow young soroptimist from Kenya. The two young soroptimists environmental enthusiasts took a break from their family holiday to plant coconut trees with their mentor and friend, Mary Muia in commemoration of this year’s World Environment Day. #holidaywithapurpose.

“Though we are on holiday, and celebrating Tiffany’s 22^nd birthday, we took the step and made a difference today”, remarked Tiffany and Shirley.

#OnlyOneEarth is the campaign for World Environment Day 2022. It calls for collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet

Soroptimist International joins the world all over in celebrating this year’s World Environment Day in over 122 countries through our global network of clubs comprised of over 72,000 volunteer women professional members. Among the celebrations are young soroptimists environment enthusiasts from Soroptimist International Kenya Country.

“One earth, preserve it, make it green”, Judith Apondo, SI Kenya Union President.

There is no better planet than earth. We therefore have to plant trees to ameliorate our future. Christine Okil, President Elect, SI Mombasa Club.

A healthy environment is critical in meeting many of the 17 sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable consumption and production can drive economic development, mitigate climate change, positively impact health and pollution, and help alleviate poverty – potentially increasing incomes by an average of 11% in low- and medium-income countries by 2060, and 4% in high-income countries.

Mary Muia planting Golden Palm Trees in Sunrise Hotel, Mombasa in commemoration of WED

“I was honoured to meet the legendary Khayanga Wasike finally and in person at the SI Mombasa Information Sharing. She planted a Golden Palm Tree at the event to commemorate World Environment Day 2022 and on behalf of Young Women everywhere”.  Says Eva Odongo, a young soroptimist from SI Kakamega club.

Transformative options towards sustainability need to be available, affordable and attractive for people to make better daily decisions. Key areas for transformation include how we build and live in our homes, cities and places of work and worship, how and where our money is invested, and what we do for fun. But others of greater magnitude also include: energy, production systems, global trade and transport systems, and protection of biodiversity.

“Today we plant these trees to celebrate the World Environment Day and the World Oceans Day. We stand in solidarity for keeping our earth safe, clean and habitable now and for the future generations”. Dr. Nina Wambiji, Immediate Past President (IPP), SI Mombasa club.

In Conclusion; We wish to remind all young women to be leaders and trail-blazers, not to shy away from taking a stance in the subjects that matter. On this World Environment Day 2022, there is only one planet. Women all over should use their positions of influence to save this one planet for sake of our future generations. Find your way of saving the earth and do it to the best of your ability. From how we dispose of litter, recycling are the current challenges, trying to carb the purchase of single use plastics we make a difference in our own spaces.”