World Environment Day: The Story of the Hummingbird

In the run-up to World Environment Day — which takes place this Sunday, June 5th — we thought we'd share a story about the importance of taking action in the face of uncertainty.

The Story of the Hummingbird

One day a terrible fire broke out in a forest, and a huge woodland was suddenly engulfed by a raging wildfire.

Frightened, all the animals fled their homes and ran out of the forest. As they came to the edge of a stream they stopped to watch the fire, feeling very discouraged and powerless, and grieving the destruction of their homes. Every one of them thought there was nothing they could do about the fire - except for one little hummingbird.

This particular hummingbird swooped into the stream and picked up a few drops of water, then flew into the forest and put them on the fire.

Then it went back to the stream and did it again, and it kept going back, again and again and again. All the other animals watched in disbelief; some tried to discourage the hummingbird.

“Don’t bother.”

“It’s too much.”

“You’re too little.”

“Your wings will burn.”

“Your beak is too tiny.”

“It’s only a drop."

“You can’t put out this fire.”

And as the animals stood around disparaging the little bird's efforts, the bird noticed how hopeless and forlorn they looked.

Then one of the animals shouted out and challenged the hummingbird, asking in a mocking voice, “what do you think you are doing?”

And the hummingbird, without wasting time or losing a beat, looked back and said, “I am doing what I can.”

- Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize winner.

. . .

World Environment Day 2022 is organised by the UN Environment Programme. This year, their #OnlyOneEarth campaign 'calls for collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet.'

In light of that message, the story of the hummingbird is especially powerful. Because it's not always easy to 'do what you can' in the face of climate emergency doom and gloom. It's not always easy to see how your small, individual actions have the power to make a difference. 

Being a 'Hummingbird' — The Local Impact 

We can't solve the climate crisis on our own. We can't stop other people from causing harm to their natural surroundings. But we can certainly make our own corner of the world a better, healthier and more sustainable place to live.

On a positive note, there are already lots of ordinary people who are trying their best to achieve this. Take your town or community for example. Look closely and you'll be able to spot who the changemakers are.

They are the educators, the Tidy Towns members, the community gardeners, the animal lovers, and the campaigners for outdoor spaces.

They are the local activists who fought to secure funding for regeneration initiatives.

They are the food business owners who source their ingredients locally.

They are the landowners who leave space on their land for wildlife to flourish.

They are ordinary people, like you, doing what they can.

So you're not alone in your efforts. Collective, transformative action is possible when communities come together and work towards a brighter future.

How to Celebrate World Environment Day in Your Area

• Shop local. Buy from small vendors and local food producers. This will reduce reliance on big corporations who do damage to the environment. By supporting your town's economy you're supporting the livelihoods of important changemakers.
• Volunteer for a local wildlife organisation or Tidy Towns group. Your work may inspire others to do the same. 
• Get outdoors and gain a new appreciation for your natural surroundings. Explore nature trails or woodlands near you (check out trails in the Xplore Local app) - just remember to 'leave no trace.' 
• Plant pollinator-friendly plants. Make your garden a haven for wildlife and endangered insects like bees. 
• Reduce, reuse, recycle. The first two are as important as the last. By making a collective effort, we'll turn our towns and villages into cleaner, healthier, and more attractive places to live. 

Only One Earth

Days like World Environment Day are vital reminders of how vulnerable our environment is — and how much we need to protect it. Like the Hummingbird, we have to keep trying our best and keep pushing for change. 

To learn more about World Environment Day and why it's happening, check out this guide.