World Environment Day forgotten by many<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Every year, June 5 is celebrated worldwide in
\nmore than 100 countries as the most important event on the
\nenvironmental calendar. This date has been declared World
\nEnvironment Day.<\/p>\n
Environmental activists and nature lovers use this day to
\neducate the public about environmental issues.<\/p>\n
The annual event is also used for the more serious work of
\nattempting to establish permanent institutions to handle
\nenvironmental management and economic planning. It also provides
\nan opportunity for governments to sign or ratify international
\ntreaties and conventions which address environmental issues.<\/p>\n
The theme of this year's World Environment Day is: Our Earth,
\nOur Future, Just Save it!<\/p>\n
World Environment Day was introduced by the United Nations
\nGeneral Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm
\nConference on the human environment. The day was also introduced
\nto mark the establishment of the United Nations Environment
\nProgram (UNEP), which is responsible for coordinating
\nenvironmental activities around the world.<\/p>\n
Not many people, however, are aware of World Environment Day.<\/p>\n
For University of Indonesia criminal law expert Harkristuti
\nHarkrisnowo, for example, June 5 is just another Saturday.<\/p>\n
"I don't know ... about World Environment Day. I have to admit
\nthat I don't pay much attention to it," she told The Jakarta Post
\nby phone.<\/p>\n
"Maybe because I pay so much attention to legal issues, my own
\nfield... and I think that it would be difficult to be skilled in
\na certain field if you pay attention to everything...,"
\nHarkristuti said.<\/p>\n
Yet, she cares about the numerous environmental crimes,
\nparticularly the inability to bring big corporations responsible
\nfor pollution to court.<\/p>\n
"I see they (corporations) are still untouchable," Harkristuti
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The present political changes and economic instability are to
\na great extent to blame for people's lack of attention to World
\nEnvironment Day and environmental issues in general, although
\nevery day we witness the further destruction of our environment.<\/p>\n
"How can we talk about the environment these days? The hot
\ntopics are the elections and the economic situation," a Guna
\nDharma University student, David, said.<\/p>\n
He said when the political and economic situations returned to
\nnormal, environmental campaigns should begin again.<\/p>\n
"I think no one will listen if you talk about the environment
\nnow," he said.<\/p>\n
Not all people, however, have entirely forgotten about
\nenvironment day.<\/p>\n
An architect, Ananda Putra, said he knew World Environment Day
\nwas celebrated every year, but he did not know the precise date.<\/p>\n
But he is not very interested in the event. "It's not that I
\ndon't care about the environment... It's just that I have work
\nto do," he told the Post.<\/p>\n
Asked if he knew the purpose behind World Environment Day, he
\nsaid: "I think it is intended to make people remember to protect
\nthe environment... but I'm not sure it will really work."<\/p>\n
He added it would not be easy to hold an environmental
\ncampaign in the current situation, when people were more
\nconcerned about the price of food.<\/p>\n
"What people want to hear is that food prices are no longer
\nhigh... not about environmental issues," Ananda said.<\/p>\n
Regardless, serious environmental problems are found across
\nthe country, including a recurrence of forest fires.<\/p>\n
The government plans to mark the event this year, but do not
\nexpect any lavish ceremonies. Related offices will hold seminars,
\nwhile high-ranking officials will deliver speeches about the need
\nto protect the environment. But as soon as the day ends, all
\ntheir word will most likely be forgotten.<\/p>\n
Instead of seminars and speeches, Ananda urged government
\nofficials and environmental pressure groups to work in schools to
\nteach children about the need to protect the environment.<\/p>\n
He said environmental issues should be taught in a simple way
\nthat the children could easily understand and remember. Just like
\nthe way he taught his six-year-old son to properly dispose of
\ngarbage, he added.<\/p>\n
"In my opinion, if you introduce the need to protect the
\nenvironment to children, it will work. They will carry it with
\nthem for a long time." (ste)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/world-environment-day-forgotten-by-many-1447893297",
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