June 5 - World Environment Day: Importance of the Biosphere

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) organises World Environment Day on June 5 to raise awareness about deteriorating environmental conditions and to inspire people worldwide to adopt positive environmental activities to help create a brighter future.

Human development over the last century has exploited natural resources in a significant way. From climate change and marine pollution to flora and fauna extinction, environmental challenges have only become worse with each passing decade.

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History

The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, often known as the Stockholm Conference. It was the first international conference to focus on the environment. Further, it recognised the right to live in a healthy environment to be a basic human right. Not only was the concept of a World Environment Day confirmed during this summit. But also, the establishment of UNEP has happened.

Over the years, World Environment Day has evolved into a global platform for people to join in various activities to raise awareness about environmental conservation. Every year, this day, celebrated with a special subject and motto that tackles the significant environmental problem of the day. Each year, a different country hosts it.

For example, India held the 45th World Environment Day event with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”. Last year’s World Environment Day also marked the start of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030). This was a worldwide goal to restore billions of hectares of land, from forests to farmlands, from the tops of mountains to the depths of the seas.

Importance of World Environment Day

The year 2022 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Stockholm Conference. This year, Sweden hosts the conference. The tagline for World Environment Day 2022 is “Only One Earth”. It emphasises living sustainably and in harmony with nature.

Today is World Environment Day, and the world is facing many challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and increased carbon emissions.

This day serves as a reminder of people’s grassroots and community-level ability to effect good change by making better choices for themselves. And holding the government and companies accountable for policies that harm our biosphere. However, it’s our responsibility to keep this planet healthy. Hence, we take this opportunity to do something for the betterment of this planet.

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