World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5. The opportunity caused by the day acts as a global platform for raising awareness and encouraging action on environmental issues. Each year, a different theme is chosen to draw attention to a different aspect of environmental concern.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the annual celebration, which will once again focus on the plastic pollution crisis. What’s the reason? Humans produce more than 430 million tonnes of plastic per year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. It goes on to say that 46% of plastic waste is landfilled, while 22% is mismanaged and becomes litter.
Plastic is a problem because it is ubiquitous and, unlike other materials, does not biodegrade. As a result, it suffocates marine life, damages soil, poisons groundwater, and can have serious health consequences.
World Environment Day 2023: Theme
This year’s World Environment Day will be marked with the theme #BeatPlasticPollution to refocus attention on solutions to plastic pollution. The day serves as a reminder that people’s actions regarding plastic pollution are important.
The day has grown to be the largest global environmental programme, celebrated by millions of people around the world, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually since 1973.
Côte d’Ivoire is hosting World Environment Day 2023 this year, with support from the Netherlands.
World Environment Day: History And Significance
The United Nations General Assembly established World Environment Day in 1972, at the start of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. The conference signalled the start of international efforts to address pressing environmental issues. The first World Environment Day was held in 1974 and has since grown to become a major global event.
World Environment Day is critical in raising environmental awareness and encouraging action at the individual, community, and global levels. It serves as a reminder of how critical it is to preserve and protect our environment for current and future generations. Climate change, deforestation, pollution, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development are among the issues that the day encourages governments, organisations, and individuals to address.
The day is an opportunity for people from all walks of life, including governments, businesses, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the general public, to take concrete steps to protect the environment. It encourages people to live more sustainably by reducing waste, conserving energy, implementing eco-friendly practises, and supporting environmental causes. It also serves as a global platform for policy debates, knowledge sharing, and the implementation of environmental initiatives.