As Legislative Leadership Fails to Address the Climate Emergency, #OnlyOneEarth Plans for Reform. This blog post is written by Team Anna intern Madison Clearman.
Orlando, FL – Since 1973, UN Environment Day, or World Environment Day, has been held on June 5th around the world, dedicating a day inspiring positive change and demanding action on the climate crisis. This year’s theme is #OnlyOneEarth, which calls for “collective, transformative action on the global scale to celebrate, protect, and restore our planet.”
This year is even more special as it has been 50 years since the very first global environment summit was held in Stockholm, Sweden. But is 50 years too many? The cost of climate change is rising and so is the gap between what is spent to adapt and what is needed. The global temperature, which is a key component to climate change, is rising dramatically as time goes on.
This year, the UN urges us to take action. Time is running out and nature is at its breaking point. Without action, we are facing exposure to air pollution beyond any safety guidelines in addition to a dangerous rate of greenhouse gas emissions. We need urgent action to address such issues and make this World Environment Day focused on sustainability, transformative change, and getting involved.
The #OnlyOneEarth Practical Guide provides an outline for some of these transformative actions that businesses, communities, and we can take today, click here to learn more!
How may we, as Floridians, take action this June 5th?
- Educate yourself about making sustainable choices and the climate crisis right here in Florida.
- This week, Representatives Anna V. Eskamani, Carlos Guillermo Smith, and Joy Goff-Marcil alongside community leaders continued their fight for the Governor to declare a climate emergency. Watch the press conference here and share with others!
- Raise your voice loud and clear to advocate for change and encourage the government to join the Net Zero Coalition.
- Ask for action and join the Race for Zero. Pledge to slow down your carbon footprint and ditch the disposables here.
- Attend events locally or host a cleanup near you:
- June 5th: World Environment Day Native Tree Planting
- June 5th: Brunch with Orlando Vegan Market
- June 4th-5th: Avalon Exchange Dollar Sale
- June 11th: UN Environment Day Cleanup in the Milk District
- June 11th: ReThink Your Waste Webinar
- June 25th: Veg-Fest
- July 2nd: Naturalist Nature Walk Day
- Every Saturday: Winter Park Farmers Market
- Every Sunday: Downtown Orlando Farmers Market
- Every Tuesday: Ecology in Action Day
- Host your own community cleanup event!
- Shop local and small businesses that support sustainable and eco-friendly choices:
- O-Town Compost: A convenient residential and commercial pickup composting service that gives neighbors a sustainable option for their food scraps. Rep. Eskamani is a proud supporter!
- Zero.Orlando: A curated general store and refillery. Shop online and at bulk refill stations to get zero and low-waste products. Ingrid, the owner, makes the [UN] paper towels!
- Fleet Farming in Orlando, Florida: A garden installation service of the Fleet Farming Program that is focused on growing vegetables and herbs as well as plant fruit trees and installing broader edible landscaping. Rep. Eskamani’s Legislative Office features one, too!
- Dechoes in Orlando, Florida: Offers an alternative to conventional clothing consumption by giving a place for gently used clothing to be bought or sold. All items at this small business are vintage, contemporary, and/or high-end designer.
- Canyon Couture in Orlando, Florida: Sustainabily sourced and zero-waste, vintage pop-up shop out of a big blue bus. Check the instagram for June pop-up events!
- Avalon Exchange in Winter Park, Florida: A direct reflection of the local community that resells and focuses on vintage, designer, basics, and one-of-a-kind items as well as buys pieces from the public every day.
- Wild Hare Natural Market in Longwood, Florida: Organic, gourmet grocer carrying locally sourced eggs, produce, honey, milk, raw herbs, supplements, and more.
- Mockingbird Apothecary in Longwood, Florida: Curated all-natural, vegan, environmentally sustainable shop that carries household products, bath and body, hair and face, food and drink items, and essential oils.
- SereniTea Apothecary Boutique in Longwood, Florida: A wellness and beauty shop that serves the mind, body, and spirit with all local female-owned brands and eco-friendly gifts.
- Good Fills: A wide selection of eco-friendly soaps, detergents, and more to refill your reusable container at a local market near you.