World Environment Day 2023 is an annual celebration held on June 5th to raise awareness and encourage actions for environmental protection. This year, the focus is on finding solutions to combat plastic pollution, and the host country is Côte D’Ivoire, also known as the Ivory Coast, located in West Africa. Additionally, 2023 marks the special milestone of the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day.
What is the theme for World Environment Day 2023?
The theme of World Environment Day 2023 is ‘solutions to plastic pollution.’
Why 5th June is celebrated as Environment Day?
June 5th is celebrated as World Environment Day to raise awareness and encourage action for environmental protection. It was established by the United Nations in 1972 during the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, serving as a global platform to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices.
Recognized as the largest global platform for environmental public outreach, World Environment Day is celebrated by millions of individuals worldwide. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) leads the initiative, which was initially established by the UN during the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972. Over the years, different cities around the globe have had the honor of hosting this important event, including New Delhi, which took the lead in organizing the celebrations in 2011 and 2018.
World Environment Day 2023 Solutions to Plastic Pollution
As the date approaches, the UNEP calls for increased efforts to minimize waste and promote the transition to a circular economy. To support these goals, the international body has released a comprehensive practical guide titled ‘Beat Plastic Pollution,’ urging people to widely share this resource. Furthermore, social media users are encouraged to contribute to the campaign by posting using the dedicated hashtag ‘BeatPlasticPollution.’
Shocking statistics revealed on the UN observances page highlight the gravity of the plastic pollution issue. Annually, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced, with half of it intended for single-use purposes. Disturbingly, less than 10% of plastic is recycled, while approximately 19-23 million tonnes end up polluting lakes, rivers, and oceans. Microplastics, which are minuscule particles measuring up to 5mm in diameter, contaminate our food, water, and air. It is estimated that each person on Earth consumes over 50,000 plastic particles every year, and even more if we consider inhalation.
On this World Environment Day 2023, let us unite in the global effort to address plastic pollution and take steps towards a cleaner, healthier planet.
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