“START TODAY, SAVE TOMORROW”
World Environment Day is a day set aside by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) to promote environmental awareness and take appropriate action. As we all know, the effects of population growth, urbanization, and the industrial revolution have steadily harmed our natural environment. Similar to this, the United Nations Environmental Programme’s (UNEP) World Environment Day serves as a day to promote awareness of and response to the environmental disasters of the contemporary era. Promoting sustainable societies is one of the main initiatives of this day.
Held on June 5 every year, World Environment Day has a specific host country and theme. This year, in 2023, the host country is the West African country of Côte d’Ivoire, in cooperation with the Netherlands. The theme for this year is #beatplasticpollution, with a focus on preventing plastic pollution and ecosystem restoration.
History
In 1972, the United Nations held a conference in Stockholm, which was the first UN conference to have the environment as its major program. It recognized the right to live in a healthy environment as a fundamental right for all beings. The conference brought global attention to the need to protect and conserve the environment, leading to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme and the formal declaration of World Environment Day.
The inaugural World Environment Day was celebrated in 1973 under the theme “Only-One-Earth”. Since then, several pressing environmental themes have been addressed, such as “Only One Future for Our Children” (1979), “A Tree for Peace” (1986), “For Life on Earth – Save Our Swell” (1998), “Connect with the World Wide Web of Life” (2001), among many others. World Environment Day has played a significant role in raising awareness about environmental issues and bringing about changes in global environmental programs.
World Environment Day holds great significance in the face of depleting natural resources, politicized environmental approaches, and slow-moving action plans. Our world is on the verge of ecological collapse, and this day serves as a reminder of the continued negative impact of global warming and climate change. Loss of life, property, biodiversity, and resources are just some of the consequences of environmental ignorance. For over 50 years, World Environment Day has provided a platform for environmental activists to educate people worldwide and inspire action to protect our nature.
The theme for World Environment Day on June 5, 2023, will focus on combating plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution. Plastic has engulfed the world, with over 400 million tonnes produced annually, half of which is intended for single-use. Less than 10% of plastic is recycled, and an estimated 19 million to 23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers, and seas, clogging landfill sites.
The host country for World Environment Day 2023, Côte d’Ivoire, is leading the fight against plastic pollution. Since 2014, the country has banned the use of plastic bags and supported the adoption of sustainable packaging. Jean-Luc Assi, the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development in Côte d’Ivoire, has emphasized that plastic pollution is a visible threat that affects every community, and they are honored to support various solutions to address this epidemic.
Dangerous Effects Of Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution has dangerous effects on the marine ecosystem. It threatens the health of the ocean, the well-being of marine life, food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and climate change. The most apparent effects of plastic debris are ingestion, asphyxia, and entanglement of various marine animals. Fish, seabirds, whales, and other marine animals mistake plastic debris for food, leading to starvation and internal injuries. Floating plastics also contribute to the spread of invasive marine organisms, posing a risk to marine biodiversity and the food chain.
Plastic pollution also affects human health through the consumption of microplastics. Microplastics have been found in tap water, beer, and salt samples worldwide, including in the world’s oceans, including the Arctic. Some chemicals used in plastic manufacturing have carcinogenic properties and can disrupt the body’s endocrine system, leading to various health problems. These problems include developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders in both humans and animals. Although the presence of microplastics in human placentas has been discovered, further research is needed to determine the broader scale of this issue.
If u find out any mistake, be a struck dumb of the fact that it was a human endeavour.
(This article is first published on The Chenab Times)
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
Muzamil Arif Batt is a contributor of The Chenab Times.
More about Author:
Muzamil Arif is a talented young writer hailing from the District Doda of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. At just 22 years old, he has already made a mark in the world of literature and activism. Muzamil completed his 10th and 12th grades from the prestigious GOVT HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL INHARRAH Bhalessa and went on to pursue a BSc degree from Govt. Degree College, Baderwah.
Passionate about various social and environmental issues, Muzamil dedicates his writing to shed light on topics such as environmental concerns, health issues, women empowerment, society, and child labor. During the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, he emerged as a prolific writer, producing valuable articles on subjects like organic brain syndrome, causes and prevention of dark circles, stress and human health, foods that boost the immune system, and human louse transmitted infectious diseases.
Muzamil’s dedication and commitment to addressing societal problems extend beyond writing. He actively participates in essay competitions, slogans, paintings, and quiz contests at the district, national, and even international levels. With his passion for both literature and social change, Muzamil Arif is a rising star whose words and actions inspire others to make a difference in the world.
