Timberland - World Environment Day

This year’s theme is biodiversity. It is more pressing and existential than ever before; highlighted by recent global events such as bushfires in Brazil, the US and Australia; locust infections across East Africa. Now a global disease pandemic sweeping across the world demonstrates the interdependence of humans and our impact in the world we live in.

Biodiversity consists of over 8 million species of animals, plants, fungi and bacteria; and the environments that house them - from oceans, forests, mountain ranges and coral reefs. Healthy ecosystems with a range of biodiversity are essential to life on earth - purifying our air, cleaning our water, and reducing the occurrence of disasters.

Our human existence is intertwined with biodiversity - and very dependent on it. The gobal economy relies on services produced by biodiversity to the value of $125-140 trillion per year. As such, the current 1 million plant and animal species facing extinction - some even within a few decades - will have a tremendous effect on the world, and why it is more pertinent than ever to preserve our ecosystems. Any losses in biodiversity and their habitat increases the spread of infectious diseases and viruses.

Timberland’s mission has been to make a positive impact on the world. The brand is pioneering sustainability in fashion by setting eco-minded targets and being committed to leasing its ecological footprint on earth, whilst still making quality products.

To date, some of the goals they have reached include:

🌳 recycling 310 million plastic bottles in their footwear

🌳 planting more than 9 million trees worldwide

🌳 completing over 1 million hours of community work

“There are exceptional times in which nature is sending us a message: To care for ourselves we must care for nature. It is time to wake up. To take notice. To raise our voices. It is time to build back better for people and our planet. This World Environment Day, it is time for nature.”

What can we do?

1. Take this quiz to learn more about biodiversity: https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/did-you-know/take-quiz

2. Reduce purchases and consumption of single-use plastic.

3. Leave areas of wild greenery in your garden where pollinators and ground dwelling insects can thrive.

4. Recycle as much as you can.

5. Support local product and food producers.

About Timberland

At the heart of the Timberland® brand is the core belief that a greener future is a better future. This comes to life through a decades-long commitment to make products responsibly, protect the outdoors, and strengthen communities around the world. To share in Timberland’s mission to step outside, work together and make it better, visit one of our stores, www.timberland.co.za follow us @timberland_south_africa. Timberland is a VF Corporation brand.