World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5 since 1973 and organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is a global public outreach forum for environmental issues that is widely observed by millions of people. It serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect and preserve our planet for future generations.
Nature is in emergency mode, and time is running out. In order to prevent catastrophic consequences, we must take immediate action. The world is facing a climate crisis, and we need to cut yearly greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 to keep global warming below 1.5°C this century. Failure to do so will result in a significant increase in air pollution, surpassing acceptable limits by 50% within the next ten years. Additionally, if nothing is done, the amount of plastic garbage entering aquatic habitats will nearly triple by 2040.
According to the UNEP's Law and Environment Assistance Platform (LEAP), the production of plastic has reached alarming levels. UNEP-LEAP stated that about 9.2 billion metric tons of plastic have been manufactured since 1950, generating around 6.9 billion metric tons of primary plastic waste. Shockingly, more than three-quarters of this garbage is thrown away and ends up in dumps, landfills, unregulated waste streams, or the environment, which includes our oceans. The consequences of this plastic pollution are devastating. An estimated 19-23 million metric tons of plastic per year seep into aquatic ecosystems from land-based sources alone. This includes lakes, rivers, and seas and is further exacerbated by contributions from sea-based sources. The combined plastic leakage is wreaking havoc on ecosystems, economies, and society as a whole, including our own health.
On this World Environment Day, it is crucial that we come together as a global community to address these pressing issues. We must take responsibility for our actions and make sustainable choices in our daily lives. This includes reducing our carbon footprint, recycling and properly disposing of plastic waste, and supporting initiatives that promote environmental conservation.
The time to act is now. Let us use this World Environment Day as a catalyst for change and work towards a greener and more sustainable future for all. Together, we can make a difference and protect the only home we have—our planet.
