Celebrated every year on June 5, World Environment Day is a call for action. In the host country Sweden, the theme of 2022 is ‘Only One Earth’, focusing on “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature,” encouraging everyone, everywhere, to live sustainably.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the primary agency behind the celebration, organises various events through individual participation and community gatherings to raise awareness about how and why we should pay more attention to the environment.
Today World Environment Day comes with the planet facing multiple crises, from climate change to loss of biodiversity and increased carbon emissions. This day reminds people’s power and individual responsibility towards taking care of their planet and cultivating sustainable living to nurture the natural eco system-thriving in harmony by protecting all species, including flora and fauna. A step toward taking individual and community responsibility to save and promote the environment, organisations, companies, and individuals curate events and spread awareness.
“It’s all about creating positive change by making better choices individually and keeping a check on the government’s and corporations’ policies which damage our biosphere or are purely for commercial purpose and in the interest of the few. It’s high time that young leaders take a call on sustainability and lead an exemplary life, says Devir Singh Bhandari, author, an award-winning international filmmaker and chair of Climate for the youth wing of the Confederation of Indian Industries, YI (Young Indians).
Dashmeet Singh, art curator, artist and environmentalist enthusiastically taking part in community initiatives to protect the environment and create Art Walks around nature, said, “It’s a humbling experience to be in sync with nature. There can be a no bigger teacher than nature, and we humans, the most advanced known species inhabiting the earth, are responsible for nurturing it. My plantation drives are not limited to one day a year. Wherever I get an opportunity along with my team, we plant trees. My favourite is Neem, Mango, Jasmine and Badam. I feel humbled to do my bit.”
“As human species, we have ravaged and damaged planet earth to the degree of the crisis. By taking measures to cultivate sustainable living and reversing the pollution levels by taking individual and community responsibility, we may save the planet and its inhabitants from further calamities,” says Vineeta Jerath Grover, Co-founder and editor of SUBURB, on the occasion of a plantation drive organised at Zen Golf Range and Academy in Gurugram in association with Young India, an offshoot of CII.
History & Significance
The General Assembly declared June 5 as World Environment Day during the Stockholm Conference in 1972. The UNEP was established the same year, and 193 member states are part of the UNEP and mark this day by organising programmes. The Stockholm conference held in 1972 became the first world conference with the environment as its primary agenda, and it declared living in a healthy environment as a fundamental human right. The idea of a World Environment Day was formalised then, but this conference also saw the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme.
World Environment Day, over the years, became a global platform for people from all walks of life to participate in various campaigns to spread awareness about environmental protection. The celebration of world environment day every year is done according to a specific theme and slogan which addresses the primary environmental concern of the time. It is hosted by a different country each year.
Let’s Pledge
Ironically, the progress of humankind in the last hundred years has given rise to exploitation and hazardous pollution, putting the life of inhabitants of the earth in danger. From climate change and marine pollution to the depletion of flora and fauna, environmental issues, including disproportionate use of non-degradable plastic causing hazards on land and sea life, have only increased with each decade.
Let’s root for each other and watch one another grow. In a commitment to leave a better, safer planet for the coming generation, # We pledge to plant Shade, harvest Smiles and sprinkle Kindness.
