World Environment Day

Today, June 5, is a day sandwiched between two important events in military history. On June 4, 1942, American naval forces won the Battle of Midway in the Pacific Ocean, changing the course of the Second World War in that theatre. On June 6, 1944, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, carrying out an event of similar magnitude for Europe. Both of these engagements were won at great human cost and with huge quantities of effort and skill, and with more than a little bit of luck. Nevertheless, they stand as monuments that represent what we are capable of when faced with great challenges, and how we can strive to fight for freedom and justice.

June 5 is not as well-remembered in history - although it should be noted that the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire in WW1 broke out on this day in 1916. I actually have the memoirs of T. E. Lawrence, who helped to orchestrate and lead the Arab independence movement, on my bookshelf, and they are a treasured possession. As I read the pages, I sometimes can't help but wonder about what Lawrence, one of my heroes, would have made of the modern world.

Lawrence was a person with a profound understanding of other people, as evidenced by his writing. He knew how to judge a person's abilities, whether to trust them, and how to talk effectively with them almost from first sight. In contrast to him, however, I think that today's governments, all across the world, may not be blessed with such observance and tact.

Despite the efforts of many to deny its existence, climate change has been built up on inscrutable evidence, and is possibly the greatest threat that humanity has ever faced. Today is World Environment Day, and so it seems right to talk about this huge challenge. Scientists everywhere say that we need to act as soon as possible for there to be any chance of overcoming this crisis. Yet, despite the best efforts of many world leaders, the facts still remain that much more needs to be done.

It is an unfortunate fact that, on this World Environment Day, we cannot carry out the same global projects that characterised previous occasions. However, just as we remember the sacrifices of those brave warriors of the First and Second World Wars, we can still remember the necessity for courage, honesty and drive that are needed from us in solving this problem, and do our best to ensure a green recovery from this pandemic.

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