2020 marks the 7th year that World Wildlife Day has been celebrated. This years’ theme is “Sustaining all life on Earth,” which encompasses all wild animals and plant species, as well as the livelihoods of people.
According to the official website of World Wildlife Day 2020, “we will celebrate the special place of wild plants and animals in their many varied and beautiful forms as a component of the world’s biological diversity.”
In March of 2014, my husband and I went on a life-changing trip to South Africa. Watching these gorgeous animals in their natural habitat was one of the most moving experiences of my life. I was in tears daily as I observed the breathtaking beauty of each animal. It definitely gave both of us a greater appreciation and determination for preserving and defending these magnificent creatures. I feel incredibly blessed that I was able to experience something so extraordinary.
What can we do?
- Clean up any trash you see on the ground.
- Recycle.
- Use energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.
- Save water. Don’t let water run unless you are using it and absolutely need it.
- Turn off all equipment when not in use (like the television).
- Buy recycled paper.
- Decrease the amount of plastic you use.
- Buy local produce.
- Buy products with less packaging.
- Utilize reusable grocery bags. (I keep mine in the car so I don’t forget them).
- To reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, buy fruits and vegetables that are in season; this lessens the use of resources resulting from imported produce.
- Plant a tree.
- Adopt an animal from the World Wildlife Fund.
- Volunteer at wild animal rescues.
- Buy responsibly. Don’t purchase products made from or containing parts of endangered species or protected wildlife.
- If you’re in the market for a new car, consider buying an electric vehicle.
It is up to each one of us to ensure our Earth remains a thriving, living planet by taking care of everything in it. Even small, positive changes we make can have a lasting impact.
All photos taken by myself and my husband 😊