It's World Environment Day  today, Friday June 5, a yearly event  commemorated the world over, including Mauritius,  to stimulate awareness of the environment and enhance political as well as social attention and action.

The theme for this year is “Your Planet Needs You-Unite to Combat Climate Change.” It just mirrors  the pressing need for countries the world over to take climate change seriously and work concertedly towards protecting the environment.

According to the UN, this  day's agenda has to: Give a human face to environmental issues; Empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; Promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and  Advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

So far, the authorities, along with the private sector, have shown their determination and commitment to climate change and protection of the environment. We are engaged in  the Maurice Ile Durable project. Regular programmes are also broadcast on the radios and television. Some firms are even engaged in promoting tree plantation and other educational activities. All these, however, will not bear the desired fruits as long as each and every individual in this country does not understand and take the environment as  HIS personal property, which he is prepared to defend tooth and nail and jealously guard against all dangers.

As Mauritians, let's start with simple things--learn not to dispose our waste the way we want. Discipline ourselves by making use of bins and stop throwing things we do not want any time, any where. Let's not behave like the guy out there who drives a beautiful, brand new and expensive car but keeps throwing out of the window along the road his cigarette stubs, beer or soft drink cans, oily wrappings and a host of unwanted things. Let's have a change in our mindset because tomorrow's environment is in today's hands.