Hello to all Steemians. Hope you're doing well wherever you are, probably relaxing coz it's weekend, rightly so. Also today is 5th of June, the "World Environment Day (to be referred as WED from now on in this article)", as most of you know.

I have been hatching an idea for some time now but didn't have the best of opportunities to express it. So this is the best place, I thought, to share my views among you Steemians. But before that let me give you a brief overview of WED.

Origin and Significance of WED

The idea of WED was conceptualized in the Stockholm Conference 1972. This day has been on the annual calender of the United Nations since 1974.

WED is observed to encourage protection of natural environment worldwide. It is high time we mankind should appreciate what nature has given to us. To help mitigate the extremes of global warming, climate change and environmental degradation, it is us who are responsible and only we can make a difference.

What can we do

At individual and societal level, we can take a lot of initiatives that can draw positive outcomes.

Public Awareness: By door-to-door visit and educating the masses about the do's and don'ts. We can organise art contests among kids in primary school level, and distribute certificates of appreciation and saplings as prizes.

Grow a backyard kitchen garden or a flower garden on your plot: This is one of the most engaging activities that you'll love doing and which will keep you healthy and active. In 2-3 weeks, you can pluck your first batch of organic produce -- be it lettuce, spinach, beans, tomatoes, chillies, coriander etc. If you maintain it, it will keep you happy in the long run. You can also involve your parents to maintain and look after it in your absence. After they retire from their work-life they might have an attachment with the garden that you created.

Use public transport: If you use your own private vehicle often, start using the public transport. This might sound a bit discomforting but the situation demands so. The lesser people use private vehicles, lesser will be the carbon content released in the atmosphere and thus, cleaner will be the air we breathe in.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Instead of dumping out-of-order goods like plastic bags, electronic gadgets, batteries and other non-biodegradable items generated as household waste, it is better to dispose them off in recycling stations or to hawkers who ply in some localities in search of such items. A few months ago, I read in somewhere that Germany have started a campaign to collect back used plastic coke bottles/cans for which people are paid back a certain amount of money. Something similar can be done here as well with Steem.

Plantation drive: We can always conduct plantation drives to enhance the greenery in our surroundings. Doesn't necessarily have to be on WED. We can create such an occasion on any day. May be on your birthday, your parents' birthday, your parents' anniversary or any such joyous occasion.

How can Steemit be a push-factor in this Green Campaign

Let me come straight to the point. It is the rewards that have tempted people to join Steemit, to share their stories, experiences and ideas. The #betterlife, #thediarygame etc. have gone on to show how people across the rivers and beyond the mountains, in all the habitable continents have embraced Steemit with open arms. It is so pleasing to meet individuals from different walks of life and diverse professions.

So can we use STEEM as a potential tool to greenify our only existing home -- the Earth? (Ofcourse until scientists declare Mars as habitable and we have direct flights to the Red Planet).

The Proposed Plan

• Every Steemian, old and new, may plant a sapling and take good care of it until the plant grows big enough to thrive on its own. This may be done in their own household plot, in farmlands, open public fields etc. as they feel suitable.

• To validate the originality of the activity, it is required to post photographic evidence, preferably from about 3 metres or 12 feet (minimum) away; so that the location is well identified. (possibly include Google Maps tag)

• Now the user can show periodic progress/growth of the plant in his/her # betterlife or # diarygame posts.

• After 6 months, the user can write a specific post about the plantation growth/progress and may opt to plant new saplings as per wish or invite friends under # promosteem banner

• On next WED, that is 5th June 2022, the Steem Team may handover certificates as token of appreciation to the 'Eco-Warriors' for their Green Campaign drive through respective country representatives. They might also receive prizes in STEEM (say 10 or 50 best entries per country) if enough sponsorship is received. This will encourage more people to join the Steem ecosystem.

• The Promo-steem activities can also associate with Steemit's Green Campaign. As such, the invitees may be asked to plant a tree in the #introduceyourself post and water it, maintain it as long as they are active on Steemit. These are baby steps but essential ones that can prolong Steemit's engagement and user base as well.

• To make it more engaging, when #steemcoffeeshop s are up and running, there may be provisions of extra discounts for Steemit's Eco-Warrior members. I think @arie.steem will support my views.

• I myself also plan to create a community with like-minded Steemians where Environment and Ecological news and updates can be shared. This Community will also highlight posts from Steemit's Green Campaign and Eco-Warriors worldwide and hopefully can be rewarded aptly.

• Now for those who live in cities, in rented houses or own apartments, these people can grow sprouts in window sills or little greens like money plant or other ornamental plants in their limited spaces. Ofcourse, the rewards would be comparatively lesser than those who are doing it outdoors.

• With time, new ideas will obviously crop up amidst a lot of brainstorming and discussions. So this is how Steemit and Steem can prove to be a game-changer.

Wrapping Up on a Positive Note

We must remember that this Environment, we haven't inherited from our forefathers so that we can do everything at our own will, nor will we pass it on to our children. Just like we invest our hard earned money and Power Up Steem, this Green Campaign will be an investment for a greener future for our next generation.

Although it sounds too optimistic but as they say 'Penny wise Pound foolish.' Those catchy news headlines on Environmental Protection aren't enough if we don't step out ourselves. We must act. Act now. And in my opinion, there's no better way than Steemit and Steem to fuel such a big Green Campaign on Social media ever.

Highly appreciate your time reading this.

^{Very soon these two sister Periwinkles will find their natural home in our garden}

^{Lets do our bit to make our home greener}

Regards,
Manas (@brahmaputra),
Guwahati by the Brahmaputra,
INDIA.
05/06/2021,
World Environment Day

CC: @steemcurator01 @promosteem.com @cryptokannon @rishabh99946

*****