Environment Day is celebrated on June 5, a date that allows us to come together to reaffirm our commitment not only to conservation, but also to the restoration of ecosystems. This year, the motto of Environment Day is “Our lands. Our future. We are the #RestorationGeneration”, where we show that, although we cannot go back to the past to correct the mistakes made, what we can do, indeed, is contribute to strengthening and revitalizing the world’s ecosystems, through different actions.
About the celebration of Environment Day
The celebration of Environment Day has its origins in 1972, when it was established by the United Nations Assembly. Each year, a host country is designated to organize a series of activities aimed at promoting environmental conservation and sustainability.
These activities usually include in-person events, such as conferences, workshops, beach and forest cleanups and tree-planting, among others. In recent years, we have also incorporated the virtual modality to reach a wider and more diverse audience through webinars, social media campaigns, live broadcasts, and other online initiatives.
The Wiese Foundation committed to the preservation and restoration of the environment
One way to reaffirm this commitment is by initiating or supporting social enterprises with environmental impact. That is why, in commemoration of this date, we want to tell you more about 3 Peruvian social enterprises that manage sustainable practices.
1. Pallay Peru
Pallay is a company in the textile sector that is dedicated to rescuing and preserving the ancestral weaving techniques of the communities of Challwaccocha and Acchahuata in the region of Cusco, Peru. Founded by a team committed to sustainable development and cultural conservation, the company, social in nature, generates a significant impact in both the cultural and environmental ambits.
Their work is not limited to the production of textiles, but also focuses on empowering local female weavers, providing them with employment and thus preserving their traditional knowledge. Moreover, Pallay stands out for its commitment to environmental sustainability, using exclusively natural supplies and applying environmentally friendly processes in all its operations.
2. Caxacori Studio
Deforestation remains a constant threat in the Amazon, but hope persists thanks to companies like Caxacori, who are taking concrete actions to counter this problem. Caxacori concentrates its activities on the sustainable use of the shiringa tree, rather than resorting to the indiscriminate logging of trees.
In this way, the company produces a wide range of fashion products, such as leather accessories, footwear, and other items, using sustainably harvested latex.
By promoting responsible latex harvesting, Caxacori avoids environmental damage and contributes to the conservation of biodiversity in the region. Furthermore, by working directly with Awajún communities, the company ensures fair and ethical business practices, providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly income for local families.
3. Inkao Peru
Inkao concentrates its operations in the valleys of the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM) in Peru, a region known for its socio-economic challenges. In this context, the women-led company buys its cacao productions from local farmers, thanks to which it succeeds in transforming the agricultural landscape of the area, and also obtaining high-quality cacao-derived products.
As well, Inkao’s workers employ sustainable agricultural practices that minimize the impact on the environment. This helps to conserve local biodiversity and natural resources by preventing deforestation and promoting soil regeneration, all the while fostering a brighter future for the communities of the VRAEM by providing them with an alternative to the illicit cultivation of coca.
Like these companies, we, too, can contribute and celebrate this day by reaffirming our commitment to the conservation and revitalization of the environment. This is important, as we must contribute to keeping global warming below 1.5°C for the remainder of the century and being able to provide a healthy and clean planet for future generations.
