This Friday, June 5, is World Environment Day and now it’s time to ask yourself not what your planet can do for you, but what you can do for your planet.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing rules mean the community can’t come together to celebrate in person this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the great work happening to protect and enhance the environment.
Tweed Council’s Sustainability and Environment Unit Coordinator Jane Lofthouse said there are many things each person can do today, and every day, to help shape a better world, whether it’s in your backyard or in your wider community.
‘The theme for World Environment Day this year is “time for nature” and the Tweed is incredibly diverse with wildlife, plants, an incredible abundance of locally grown food, and nature to enjoy,’ said Ms Lofthouse.
‘It’s an opportunity to appreciate what we have in this beautiful part of the world, but also to think about what we can do to protect it for future generations.’
Communities can make small changes to make a big difference – some ideas include:
Spending time in nature and report what you see
• Sightings of koalas inform monitoring programs and conservation actions and help sick koalas get the assistance they need quickly – visit www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Koalas
• There is a new easy way to report your sightings of Endangered Bush Stone-curlews online. Visit www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/BushStoneCurlewSighting
• Share pictures and stories on the Backyard Habitat for Wildlife Your Say Tweed page describing what you have noticed in your backyard. Visit www.yoursaytweed.com.au/backyard-habitat
Plant more trees
• Plant native plants or a tree in your backyard. Visit Council’s Native Species Planting Guide at www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/NativeSpeciesPlantingGuide
Protect wildlife
• Keep pet cats contained, and keep dogs on a leash to protect wildlife
Make local food choices
• Buy local food that’s in season – this reduces carbon emissions, packaging and storage waste by shortening the supply chain, and supports small-scale family farms.
• Shop at farmers’ markets, roadside stalls, and independent retailers that stock local products.
• Make natural food wraps. Your food will love you for it (and last longer). Search ‘DIY beeswax wraps’ online.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-fuel electricity and transport fuels
• Save on your power bill: switch off lights, take short showers, wash clothes in cold water
Walk, cycle, take the bus, drive less and drive slower.
Go solar
• Check out Council’s Solar Buyers Guide. Use local Clean Energy Council-accredited solar installers to slash your power bill and your carbon footprint. www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Energy
Hosts of the annual World Environment Day Festival in the Tweed, Caldera Environment Centre will this year be collating a range of talks and information on their website to celebrate. Visit calderaenvironmentcentre.org/
To see how Council is working to protect the environment, visit www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Environment.
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