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World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5 June. It aims to highlight the pressing need to save our planet Earth from the impact of human activities. Over the years, issues such as pollution, deforestation, and loss of biological diversity are concerningly increasing the pace of climate change. As a result, we must come up with effective measures to tackle this situation and save our beloved planet Earth. In this blog, we will explore all about World Environment Day, its history, significance, and more. Let’s get started with some fun learning.
| Name of the day | World Environment Day |
| Observed on | 5 June |
| Reason | To help people recognize their individual responsibility towards protecting the planet and improving the environment. |
| Theme 2024 | Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience |
Table of Contents
History of World Environment Day
Due to its long history and several firsts, World Environment Day (WED) is one of the more distinctive and noteworthy holidays. It was conceived on the opening day of the first-ever United Nations conference on people and the environment.
- The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 was the first-ever conference to raise the environment as a pressing issue.
- This conference also became the inspiration behind the establishment of this important day.
- Later on, on 15 December 1972, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to designate June 5 as the official date to observe World Environment Day.
- The first World Environment Day was observed in 1973 in Switzerland with the slogan, “Only One Earth”.
Must Read: International Day of Biological Diversity
What is the Theme of World Environment Day?
Every year a theme is decided to observe important days such as World Environment Day. This helps the organizers as well as the participants to highlight and focus on key areas. In 2024, the theme of World Environment Day is ‘Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience’. This year, the focus will be on #GenerationRestoration.
Land restoration is essential to maintain the biodiversity of our planet and combat climate change. This is because issues such as desertification, where a piece of fertile land becomes barren, pose a grave threat to livelihood.
Must Read: National Endangered Species Day
How to Observe World Environment Day?
Here are some ways in which you can observe World Environment Day.
Make a Choice to Recycle
Although it can seem like a no-brainer, do you truly recycle whenever you can? Think again the next time you’re about to toss that piece of paper in the garbage because there isn’t a recycling container nearby. You’re holding a plastic container, but you’re too lazy to check to see if it’s biodegradable. Check it out on your smartphone by opening it! You must do your part to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
Plant a Tree
By trapping them on their leaves and bark, trees absorb odours and polluting gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulphur dioxide, and ozone) as well as airborne particles. When carefully placed around a single-family home, they can reduce the need for summer air conditioning by up to 50%. We cut carbon dioxide and other environmental emissions from power plants by reducing the energy required to cool our homes.
Volunteer
Anyone may volunteer, and it can have a positive impact on the entire community. Try something new by volunteering with the National Park Service, or stay close to home by helping out at your neighbourhood farmers’ market. You’ll experience the benefits of getting out of the house and protecting the environment no matter how you choose to get involved.
Must Read: World Earth Day
What is the Significance of World Environment Day?
This day is important for many reasons. Some of the main reasons are listed below:
1. It Re-Connects us with Nature
We occasionally fail to recognise how much our personal health is supported by natural processes. But because humans are a part of nature, we rely on it. Therefore, today is the ideal time to visit the national parks in your country and honour the integral connection.
2. Awareness is Increased
More and more people are beginning to realise the need of managing the resources and ecosystems of our planet in a sustainable manner. However, not everyone holds such an opinion. It presents an opportunity to spread knowledge of the physical environment’s fragility and importance among friends and family. However, make sure that you are well-versed in environmental issues before you start spreading environmental awareness in your local neighbourhood. There’s even more to discover!
3. It Nudges us to Take Action
Our health is negatively impacted by the chemicals and toxins that are polluting the environment at an increasing rate. Just to name a few, they can lead to cancer and respiratory illnesses. World Environment Day encourages us to take action and improve the environment we can’t live without by bringing attention to the problems with the air that nourishes us.
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FAQs
The Netherlands and Côte d’Ivoire will host World Environment Day 2023, which will focus on plastic pollution solutions and the hashtag is #BeatPlasticPollution.
Under the hashtag #BeatPlasticPollution, the theme of World Environment Day on June 5th, 2023, will be focused on plastic pollution solutions. Plastic is taking over the planet. Every year, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced, half of which are intended for single-use applications.
The opening day of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment is June 5, which is declared World Environment Day by the UN General Assembly. The General Assembly also created UNEP through a different resolution that day.
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