Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.
This year, World Environment Day (June 5) is all about sustainable consumption and production. With that in mind, international development organisation, Progressio are sharing stories of how people are standing up for the environment in Zimbabwe, Malawi, El Salvador and here in the UK.
32,000 trees and counting
More than 32,000 new trees have been planted in brand new nurseries thanks to the Chembe Community in Malawi. In a single year, the Community managed to plant 10,000 new trees and their dedication their nurseries resulted in an incredible 85% survival rate of these seedlings. This year, they are aiming to increase the area they work in and plant more than 12,000 new trees. These trees will enable the Community to support a healthy environment while diversifying their income to support local families.
One planet, one vision: Green
After years of environmental damage and degradation the world is waking up to a new ecological consciousness. Now more than ever, we are recognising the importance of green solutions to modern day problems. One of Progressio ICS's main goals is to improve the quality of life of poor and marginalised communities through more equitable and sustainable management of our natural resources and habitat. As we approach World Environment Day, hear from Progressio ICS volunteer Roisin McGovern.
Read more of Roisin's blog here
The biogas tour of Zimbabwe
A series of inspiring moments took place in Zimbabwe in March, but not the kind the world will notice. March 27 will go down in local history thanks to the collaboration of some incredibly passionate people. Biogas operators in Guruve, who are Progressio’s partners in Zimbabwe, had a rare opportunity to talk the country’s leading renewable energy technical experts.
As we celebrate World Environment Day, you can read the full story here
Historic celebration in Malawi
Another fantastic story for World Environment Day is of an historic movement of environmental awareness in the Salima District of Malawi. The celebration, incorporating World Forestry Day and World Water Day, was the first of its kind in Salima. Progressio worked with our partner organisation, Environment Africa, to make the day a success, ensuring a diverse range of people engaged with the crucial message of climate awareness.
You can click here to read more
Pope Francis speaks out on the environment – “Respect for creation is a requirement of our faith”
As we approach World Environment Day, Pope Francis has made a strong statement of intent on what the Christian responsibility is when it comes to protecting our environment. During Sunday morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope quoted Psalm 104 to show the link between the Holy Spirit and the health of the world we live in.
“The gift of the Holy Spirit renews the earth,” Pope Francis said. “The Psalmist says: ‘You send forth your Spirit… and you renew the face of the earth.’ The account of the birth of the Church in the Acts of the Apostles is significantly linked to this Psalm, which is a great hymn of praise to God the Creator.”
“The Holy Spirit whom Christ sent from the Father, and the Creator Spirit who gives life to all things, are one and the same,” he continued. “Respect for creation, then, is a requirement of our faith: the garden in which we live is not entrusted to us to be exploited, but rather to be cultivated and tended with respect."
