World Environment Day
Every June 5th, World Environment Day is commemorated, a date established by the UN to promote awareness and action in the face of the challenges threatening our environment. It is a global call to care for the planet and act individually, collectively, and institutionally to build a more sustainable future.
In this context, Johanna Ochoa, coordinator of the School of Environmental Engineering at the University of Azuay, points out that our region faces several urgent challenges: the expansion of the agricultural frontier, intense droughts followed by extreme rainfall, both legal and illegal mining activities, the indiscriminate use of resources, and unsustainable mobility habits.
These factors create a scenario of uncertainty and constant vulnerability to climate variability. This lack of planning can lead to direct consequences, such as water shortages that affect household water supplies.
In light of this, Ochoa highlights the fundamental role played by university education and research. Education allows us to reflect on our habits and transform them toward more sustainable practices, while research provides the technical knowledge to propose efficient solutions. Academia can develop more responsible water treatment systems aligned with natural processes, such as nature-based solutions, which seek to mimic the functioning of the environment to solve problems more harmoniously and effectively.
The University of Azuay is already applying these principles. It has successfully converted its energy matrix to entirely solar photovoltaic, is reusing rainwater and gray water to irrigate green areas, and is continuously working to improve solid waste management, Ochoa says. These actions not only serve as an example for the university community but also serve as an inspiration for students of all majors, even those not directly related to the environment, to adopt a more sustainable approach in their daily lives.
For Ochoa, promoting environmental awareness isn't about imposing general measures, but rather inviting people to reflect on their own habits. Every citizen should be aware of how they consume water, energy, and get around. Only then can opportunities for real improvement be identified and decisions made that reduce the planet's environmental impact.
One of the projects she leads that reflects this approach is the SWACH project, which works directly with Cuenca neighborhoods to promote more responsible water use. Through rainwater harvesting systems, smart meters, and the development of an app to monitor daily consumption, this project seeks to bring people closer to their own habits and show how small actions can lead to big changes.
World Environment Day reminds us that sustainability begins with knowledge, conscious action, and commitment to our environment.
