Protect Our Environment: For Our Future

 If May was about biodiversity. June is all about ecosystems. As mentioned in the previous post the theme for World Environment Day 2026 (WED2026) is

Inspired by Nature.

For Climate.

For Our Future.

Source: Meraki By Me, Raakhee, 5 June 2026.

Protecting Our Environment

The month of June while observed as Orca Awareness Month (All About Killer Whales) otherwise has an enhanced focus on the ecosystems that support the biodiversity that's celebrated through May. 

Between World Bicycle Day (June 3rd, "Cycling into a Greener Future," 2026 theme), Environment Day (June 5th), Ocean Day (June 8th), International Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (June 17th), the Summer Solstice (also observed as Yoga Day, where Surya Namaskar a.k.a. Sun Salutations from India in the Northern Hemisphere is vital to the ancient practice and the sun too reaches its exaltation over the Tropic of Cancer running through the heart of India with two Sun Temples in the East and West along the latitude), and Rainforests Day (June 22nd), the focus is firmly on the ecosystems and environment that supports life and livelihoods. 

The time is now. Action is necessary urgently as security risks abound in India, South Asia and beyond due to climate change and the heating planet supercharging weather phenomena such as the El Nino. The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres himself took time out to mention the impending climate disasters likely triggered by the Super El Nino as warned by the World Meteorological Organization: 

While our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are environment coded, protecting our planet in the quest to truly progress is all about putting people, planet, progress and profits in the same page of the plan of action. 

As mentioned by internationally recognized voice from the Global South for the environment, Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) Sunita Narain in her insightful analysis ahead of WED2026 in the CSE publication Down To Earth, inclusive growth and sustainable development in modeling our growth story is vital to protect our environment: 

Inclusive plans of action and an intersectional lens are vital features of true environmentalism. The effects of the climate crisis are gendered and classist hence the process of protecting our environment needs to voices of women, girls, minorities and the marginalized, with a responsive ground up, grassroots grown approach.

For Our Future 

Nations are institutions are doing quite a bit to protect our environment "for our future," but a lot more needs to be done. 

The pace of destructive activity and our crude oil addiction outpaces conservation and restoration efforts and the mainstreaming of renewable energy sources.  

Ecofeminism is needed as the growth model now more than ever. Gender Equality (SDG5), Reduced Inequality (SDG10) and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG16) are all vital to Climate Action (SDG13) and the path to Just Transition and robust environmentalism. 

Meanwhile, as an individual, this environment day and beyond you can track your personal carbon footprint (Check out OnlyPlanet.in) and find means to shrink it to reduce your impact on the environment in order to protect it ... for our future. For, to quote the immortal Jane Goodall, 

"Every single one of us makes an impact on our planet every single day and we can choose what kind of impact we make."

Creativity & Innovations For Our "Annadata"

 This week and month have many days and celebrations where Women Farmers are central. April 21st is World Creativity and Innovation Day with the 2026 theme being "Harnessing the Power of Creativity for Global Progress." A key aspect of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) being SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - all vital to boost agriculture. 

Personally I find from all my interactions that no one can beat Rural Women of India in general and Women Farmers in particular in innovation and creativity in stretching resources and opportunities to serve them. They truly are pioneers in harnessing their creativity for progress of their family and community with their own progress just a happy byproduct never a priority.  Whatever opportunities, skills, training and lessons they access, rural women and women farmers seem to know how to extrapolate it into social progress and economic growth. 

The Sunshine Millennium 2011 Brochure

Meanwhile April 19-20, 2026 was celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya - a celebration of everlasting abundance as well as the birth of the Goddess of Food & Abundance - "Annapurna and our Annadata - the bestower of food. While marketing has made this festival all about buying gold, it is a time of charity and aiding the downtrodden as well as worshipping and valuing those who produce our food. In practice this mid-Spring festival is about honoring and empowering farmers among others in the quest for abundance and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).

See more on Gender, Agriculture and Climate Change in the summary and analysis of the above article from The Hindu in the InsightsIAS (Insights on India page) article.

Indigenous Women Farmers and Leaders - Australia ad Asia-Pacific

Empowerment and Opportunities

The brouhaha over "Nari Shakti" - Women's Political Empowerment that became a bit of a damp squib in the face of the delimitation issue also was an opportunity to empower women farmers by giving them a political voice to fight for their rights.  Population and depopulation pressures as well as the realities of urban and seasonal migration that has led to feminization of rural India, feminization of agriculture as well as feminization of poverty and they all have  women front and center. But there are many opportunities amidst the threats to the lives and livelihoods of rural women and women farmers. In this conversation it would be irresponsible if one doesn't mention the choice [forced by economic burdens) of many women agricultural and farm laborers choosing to sterilize themselves and sacrifice their fertility for economic opportunities. 

Harnessing Creativity and Innovation for Progress

Many award-winning model Panchayats (village administration) have addressed the needs of women and women farmers by giving them voice as mentioned in the post about the Institute of Social Sciences' interview of these award winning villages and their administrators. 

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are also do great work in improving the lives of rural women and farmers in general and women farmers in particular in many states of India. The key fact being the need to scale up and center the needs of women farmers in such SHGs and FPOs. By merging government programs and policies and corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG initiatives of companies - a public-private partnership (PPP) of sorts to tackle the needs of women farmers is truly addressing SDG 9 agriculturally. This is harnessing innovation for the progress of all farmers but especially women farmers.