Folks from throughout the globe are anticipated to come back collectively on 5 June to mark World Atmosphere Day, cleansing up seashores, planting bushes and holding marches in an effort to revive what specialists say is a planet on the precipice. The occasion can be commemorated each digitally and in Stockholm, Sweden two days following the Stockholm+50 worldwide assembly.
Greater than 150 nations are slated to host environmentally themed occasions on Saturday, a part of an annual celebration of the Earth that dates to 1973. Advocates are hoping this yr’s World Atmosphere Day will encourage a world effort to deal with what they describe because the fast decline of the pure world.
“We’re operating towards the clock,” stated Inger Andersen, the Government Director of the United Nations Atmosphere Programme (UNEP) in a video message. “As we speak, as we glance to a…way forward for heatwaves, droughts, floods, wildfires, pandemics, soiled air, wars, and plastic-ridden oceans, motion is extra vital than ever.”
Over the last 49 years, World Atmosphere Day has forged a highlight on a number of environmental issues, from air pollution to the outlet within the ozone layer to deforestation. This yr’s occasion comes at a time thought-about by scientists and policy-makers as “emergency mode” for the planet.
A collection of current United Nations reports have discovered that the local weather disaster is accelerating sooner than beforehand thought, with a 50 per cent likelihood that international warming will exceed 1.5 levels Celsius above pre-industrial ranges in the next five years. That’s mixed with widespread biodiversity loss – 1 million species are threatened with extinction – and rampant air pollution to create a “triple planetary disaster”, which United Nations Secretary-Common António Guterres stated threatens humanity’s future.
“We are able to not ignore the alarm bells that ring louder each day,” he stated. “The one manner ahead is to work with nature, not towards it.”
Hosted by Sweden, the theme of this yr’s World Atmosphere Day is “Solely One Earth” specializing in the necessity to dwell sustainably in concord with nature. It highlights the fragility of the planet and is designed to re-enforce the concept the Earth is humanity’s solely residence. The theme echoes the 1972 United Nations Convention on the Human Atmosphere, a landmark summit that led to the creation of each UNEP and World Atmosphere Day.
Stockholm hosted that gathering and this yr it’ll as soon as once more be on the centre of celebrations. The official ceremony can be held on the Know-how Museum with Swedish Minister for Local weather and the Atmosphere Annika Strandhäll and UNEP Government Director Inger Andersen participating with a gaggle of younger individuals from Voices of the Future. The occasion can be streamed online here.
“This yr, World Atmosphere Day is coming residence to Sweden,” stated Strandhäll. “Throughout the nation, municipalities, organizations and people will become involved in a variety of various actions to contribute to a greater atmosphere. Occasions on the native degree can have a world impression.”
In Stockholm’s metropolis centre, Sergels Sq. can be was a “green plaza,” the place guests can speak to environmental specialists, whereas touring a purpose-built backyard. Throughout town in Valhallavägen, 60 EV charging stations will be inaugurated within the presence of Minister for Digitalization and Power Khashayar Farmanbar.
Whereas it’s led by UNEP, World Atmosphere Day may be very a lot a grass-roots motion, with communities, faculties, companies and native governments all participating. This yr will see events and initiatives in additional than 150 nations, from coastal clean-ups in New Zealand to tree plantings in Kenya.
A few of these celebrations can be streamed live on the UNEP website beginning at 16:00 CET.
An underlying theme of World Atmosphere Day is that it’s not too late to repair the damage humanity has performed. However to try this, Andersen stated individuals have to make environmentally aware selections, monetary establishments have to contribute the transition to a greener future and politicians should “see past election cycles to intergenerational wins.
“The motion that started in 1972, stands at a crucial juncture at present,” she stated. “It’s now or by no means.”
About World Atmosphere Day
World Environment Day on 5 June is the largest worldwide day for the atmosphere. Led by UNEP and held yearly since 1973, the occasion has grown to be the most important international platform for environmental outreach, with tens of millions of individuals from the world over participating to guard the planet.
Participate in Earth Action Numbers, put your environmental actions and occasions on the interactive world map, and share your personalised social media playing cards in your channels.
Tune in to live updates to maintain knowledgeable about occasions taking place close to you, and remember to catch the live broadcast from Sweden and Nairobi on 5 June.
