Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu!
Annually, we celebrate Environment Month every June. This month’s theme is: “Sama-samang Pagkilos, Sama-samang Paghilom: Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Kalikasan”.
It is no doubt that to fully succeed in things that we aim to achieve, we must work with one another. We should work not just for the benefit of ourselves. For every action we make and take, we must always see the possible impact not just on ourselves but also on the people around us – or the environment that surrounds us.
We are celebrating Environment Month to raise awareness. We must constantly remind ourselves that we are all responsible for the environment we live in. We must be aware that it is mankind who deals the greatest damage to the environment. That is why we must be accountable for our actions and take responsibility.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, some may have have forgotten the continuing problems on solid waste management, deforestation, and global warming. We have been focused on staying safe against the virus. However, we must remember the link between health and the environment. A clean environment is necessary for the upkeep of sanitation and hygiene. A dirty environment makes us more susceptible to diseases and more vulnerable to the virus. Hence, initiatives to combat the COVID-19 pandemic must also include environmentally friendly initiatives. Improper waste disposal does not just affect the environment, but also affects the health of every individual, especially senior citizens and children.
For those who have not yet started caring for the environment, I would like to say that it is never too late to start. You can start today. However, we should not just care for the environment for this month alone. We must care for the rest of our lives, until we can ensure and guarantee that our next generation will be able to ensure the beauty of our surroundings – the trees, the oceans, the forests – and inhale fresh air free from contamination.
We ARE the environment. The negative effects of human activities do not only affect a single person, but rather affects everyone. So together, let us remind one another and make the environment clean and friendly, not just for our sake but so that the future generations can enjoy what we are enjoying today.
Happy Environment Month 2021!
