THINK, EAT AND SAVE
Global Theme Emphasizes Reduction Of Food Wastage
UN has announced theme of this year’s World Enviro n m e n t D ay (WED) as ‘Think, Eat, Save’ to raise awareness about this environmental and social problem. Think.Eat.Save is an anti-food waste and food loss campaign that encourages people to reduce your foodprint.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), every year 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted. This is equivalent to the same amount produced in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, 1 in every 7 people in the world go to bed hungry and more than 20,000 children under the age of 5 die daily from hunger.
Realizing the pile-up of wasted food where millions go to bed on empty stomachs in the country, the event also wants to encourage individuals to take strong action in their daily food choices. This year’s campaign rallies you to take action from your home and then witness the power of collective decisions you and others have made to reduce food waste, save money, minimise the environmental impact of food production and force food production processes to become more efficient.
Painting the grim picture, the scientists warn that farm productivity had already reached plateau due to chemical abuse of soil and after a point, it is impossible to get more harvest. Since 1960s, agricultural land has grown by 12% whereas population has grown by 10% annually. As they predict, future wars would be fought to control resources such as food and water.
In Gujarat, various Environment events are held supporting the Theme ‘Think, Eat, Save’ – CEE has organized a workshop on innovative food preparation from leftover at 11 am on its premises. Other events that would continue till 5 pm include puppetry show, food show by children, quiz and painting competitions, slogan writing, photography, poem writing, workshops to create awareness about home composting units, grain diversity, e-waste collection, treasure hunt and games on the theme of World Environment Day. The children would also be taken on bird-watching trail. The popular workshops on face painting and natural tattoo making along with pottery and origami will also be part of this year’s celebrations.
At the VASCSC, Gujarat University, the Environment Celebrations started at 7.30 am with plantation of saplings on the premises followed by activities such as green games and treasure hunt, extempore competitions, science quiz and slogan writing competition.Visitors watched short films on environment conservation and awareness. There is also a pledge tree where citizens can pledge to save the environment and t-shirt designing on theme of nurturing environment.
At Karnavati Club, a workshop is organized from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm where the participants would be shown ways to cook innovatively with solar energy.
An exhibition is held at Karnavati Club from 6.30 pm onwards where the innovative use of discarded pens is shown. This is the first Ahmedabad WED Project – Pen Pal project and launched by Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. This Project is by The Ahmedabad Global Shapers which is a part of a network of hubs developed and led by young people who are exceptional in their potential, their achievements, and their drive to make a contribution to their communities.
Ahmedabad based Ecofriendly Computech Solutions (ECS) is a blue company on a green mission too. A company committed to environment friendly e-waste management with its unique 4R philosophy – Reuse, Refurbish, Recover and Recycle, ECS Environment Ltd is a company committed to completely eco-friendly recycling of electronics waste registered with Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). ECS, which also runs e-waste collection drive to help citizens get their e-waste recycled, has kick started a drive wherein environmental presentation is being played through live media at more than 100 locations including major restaurants, hotels, hospitals, corporate houses, cafes and other food outlets. A rally to begin from ECS house on SG Highway on June 5 would conclude at Vastrapur with a skit and a message on environmental awareness.
More Green Missions are held on the World Environment Day as the Gujarat Forest and Environment Department takes the pledge to spread the message to prevent wastage of food, to cook as needed, to feed leftovers to animals, to build respect for food in the family, to strive to protect and preserve environmental resources and to consume only healthy and hygenic food.
Cities are turning to concrete ovens with the change in UHI (Urban Heat Island) – Environment changes transforming cities, traffic congestion, air and water pollution becoming urgent environment concerns. Amidst this, the need of the hour is the mission of WED for ‘Think, Eat, Save’ to raise awareness about this environmental and social issues. Reduction of Food Wastage is raising awareness for sustainable growth – preserving environment for better tomorrow.
– Kidsfreesouls News Desk
