Yes, our environment is under pressure and this is affecting our quality of life so now is the time for you and your Rotary Club to take action!

Article by Ted Waghorne, Chair ESRAG Oceania

Yes, our environment is under pressure and this is affecting our quality of life so now is the time for you and your Rotary Club to take action!

The environment is a most pressing global issue. We see rising temperatures, plastic pollution, loss of biodiversity, frequent bush fires, and endangered species. Rotarians are now ready to lead the way by focussing on environmental solutions and carrying out projects locally and across the world.  

Many Rotary Clubs across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands are already doing projects to support their environment: by collecting plastics, planting trees, restoring habitat, planting for bees and pollinators, recycling materials and installing solar panels. And these examples are just the start, so there will never be a better time for Rotarians to support their environment. It is after all our 7th Area of Focus.

You and your club could carry out environmental projects and activities such as:

• Working with Landcare on wildlife corridors
• Colouring your World’ in street gardens
• Collecting surplus food to minimise waste
• Developing new vegetarian low carbon diets
• Reducing clubs’ and individuals’ carbon footprint
• Providing cook stoves to replace open fire cooking.
• River, parks and seashore clean-up projects
• Supplying solar water heaters and solar panels for villages
• DIK, repurposing equipment, furniture and playgrounds
• Discussing environmental issues and actions.

Furthermore, with the current discussions by world leaders at COP26 on one of our most important environmental issues – climate change, it is time for all Rotarians to step up in support of their environment. We all need to be considering how we can reduce our own individual carbon footprint and that of our clubs and districts. By even small changes to our activities we can provide enormous support of efforts to keep warming to 1.5°C.

Action by your Club will appeal to the community, particularly younger people, who I am sure will volunteer for your projects. So, consider creating and supporting an environmental committee in your club or district, identify where your efforts are needed locally or wherever in the world your heart takes you.

Help us connect Rotarians right across Zone 8. Join ESRAG and our Oceania network to share your ideas and projects; to discuss and learn about environmental issues and project ideas; and to help create solutions that can be carried out by individuals, Clubs, or Districts and be People of Action.

To join ESRAG Oceania and subscribe to our newsletter, go to www.esragoceania.org