World Environment Day 2025 focuses on ending plastic pollution
Communities, businesses and governments around the world observed World Environment Day on Thursday with more than 2,500 events globally.
The theme for 2025 - #BeatPlasticPollution - calls for collective action to tackle the issue. The annual social and environmental cost of plastic pollution ranges from US$300 billion to US$600 billion, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
It said that by 2040, plastic leakage to the environment is predicted to grow by 50 per cent, and that pollution enters our bodies through food, water and the air we breathe.
The World Environment Day ceremony was held in Jeju, South Korea. International leaders, including UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the planet.
In his message for World Environment Day, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: 'Plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes the ocean, and endangers wildlife. And as it breaks down into smaller and smaller parts, it infiltrates every corner of Earth: from the top of Mount Everest to the depths of the ocean; from human brains to human breastmilk.'
'Yet there is a movement for urgent change. We are seeing mounting public engagement, steps towards reusability and greater accountability and policies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste management. But we must go further, faster,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Money & Me: ‘Seeing our business break even has been a milestone'
Sisters Chandini and Chanchal Guria came together to work on their passion for health and bootstrapped their business, Ekaya Wellness Studio, in Dubai last year. The yoga and Pilates instructors previously had separate careers, with Chandini, 34, employed as a journalist, while Chanchal, 30, was working in property management. The Indian siblings arrived in the UAE from Hong Kong in 1998, after their father moved to the country for work. Chanchal completed her bachelor's degree in finance accounting and management at the University of Nottingham, in the UK. Chandini went to the London College of Fashion, where she obtained her bachelor's degree in fashion design and development. But writing was her passion, so she joined Dubai Week as a journalist and also worked with insydo Dubai. After spending five to six years in the industry, she felt burnt out and decided to become an entrepreneur. The sisters started selling yoga mats and launched Meow Yoga, an e-commerce brand, as a side business. They currently live with their parents and brother in The Meadows, Dubai. Did wealth feature in your childhood? What did you learn from it? Chanchal: Wealth was a bit up and down. The reason we shifted from Hong Kong to Dubai was because my dad went out of business there, and he got a job here. Dubai wasn't so expensive back then, so we were on a saving curve. From a young age, our mother would tell us not to buy stuff – that put it in our heads that money is quite important and we're short on it. During the global financial crisis, our money was stuck in property. We saw some bad times. We had to move out of our house into a small apartment. And then, we rebounded. It taught us to know our limits, save when possible, but also enjoy it when you have the money. Don't spend on things you don't need. But there's nothing wrong indulging yourself once in a while. Chandini: Although we went through ups and downs, our father always tried to make sure all our needs were met, and it taught me the importance of hard work and a support system. What did your first job pay? Chandini: As a junior writer with Dubai Week, I earned Dh6,000 ($1,633) a month in 2015. Chanchal: In 2016, I interviewed with Nakheel and was hired as a property management co-ordinator on a starting salary of Dh9,500, and I worked there for nearly five years. Any early financial jolts? Chandini: When I quit my job, I didn't realise that living on your own savings and starting a business is expensive, so I ran out of money really quickly. How do you grow your wealth? Chandini: I'm still at a point where I need to save money before I focus on growing my wealth. My future plan is long-term investments, such as in properties and companies that I believe in. Chanchal: I don't have a lot of investments either. I have savings accounts. Investing in our wellness business was the first step in growing our wealth. We hope to see our income grow after a year and a half and then open up the next centre. Are you a spender or a saver? Chandini: Even though I'm a spender, I have no regrets because most of the things I pay for are about my well-being, such as massages, workouts and wellness activities. Chanchal: I'm the complete opposite. I love to save money, but I do feel like spending on yourself and for the right thing – it is important to splurge a little sometimes to have a good time. You have to enjoy what you earn. It's OK to go out and have nice dinners once in a while, but not to do it every single day. Have you been wise with money? Chandini: I'm pretty wise with money. It sounds a bit contradictory to my statement that I'm a huge spender, but I do it for the right reasons, and I have no regrets about what I spend on. So even though my savings aren't huge, I think I am wise with money. Chanchal: I like to always keep track of what I'm spending on in an Excel sheet, as I studied accounting and I'm obsessed with numbers. What has been your best investment? Chandini: It's nice having a business where you are supporting staff and the community. But my best investment is my Kindle. I can't even describe how much joy it brings. Chanchal: Definitely, our business Ekaya, considering the time and effort we put into it. It pays back in different ways. And we've already hit break even. Any cherished purchases? Chanchal: I just bought myself a new car, so I'm obsessed with that. It's the Range Rover Velar. Any financial advice for your younger self? Chandini: I grew up as a shy, quiet kid who never really stood up for herself. I would tell my younger self to not be scared to ask for what you deserve, whether it's a raise or a promotion. What luxuries are important to you? Chandini: The most important luxury to me is spending quality time with my family and friends. Chanchal: One of the biggest luxuries is finding time for yourself. I have started to find time to do things that make me happy, such as getting a massage once a week and scheduling time to play badminton. What are your financial goals? Chandini: My goal has always been to become financially independent. I want to be able to support and care for my family alone. Chanchal: My financial goal is to be independent. I would also like to see our business grow as much as possible. In one and a half years, I hope we're able to open a second location. Any key financial milestones?
Sharjah 24
4 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
ILO votes to upgrade Palestine's status
Decision made during ILO's 113th session The decision was made during the plenary of the 113th session of the International Labour Conference currently taking place in Geneva. A clear majority supported the draft resolution titled, 'Status of Palestine in the International Labour Organisation, and Participation Rights of Palestine in ILO Meetings.' Resolution backed by General Affairs Committee The resolution had previously received endorsement from the General Affairs Committee before being brought to a full vote. UN General Assembly support This development follows a May 10, 2024 resolution by the United Nations General Assembly urging all UN specialised agencies, including the ILO, to adopt measures that allow Palestine to expand its participation rights within official UN bodies.
Arabian Business
4 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai ranked number 1 globally for creative industry FDI
Dubai has once again been named the world's top destination for greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) in the cultural and creative industries (CCI), securing the No. 1 spot in the Financial Times fDi Markets rankings for 2024. This marks the third consecutive year the emirate has outperformed global cities like London, Singapore, and New York. In 2024, Dubai attracted 971 creative sector projects, an 8 per cent increase from 2023, bringing in AED18.86bn ($5.1bn) in capital, up nearly 60 per cent year-on-year. Dubai foreign investment in creative industries These investments generated 23,517 new jobs, highlighting the city's growing appeal as a creative economy powerhouse. Key sectors driving this growth include: Advertising and PR Film production Gaming Education AI-powered software design According to the Dubai FDI Monitor, greenfield, wholly-owned ventures made up 76.5 per cent of all projects, reflecting strong investor commitment. The United States led with 23.2 per cent of capital inflows, followed by India, the UK, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia. India stood out in job creation and project volume. Pro-business reforms, like allowing free zone firms to operate onshore and slashing bureaucracy, combined with robust IP laws and cutting-edge infrastructure, continue to make Dubai a magnet for global creatives and investors. As outlined in the 'Creative Dubai' report, the city is emerging as a global hub for design, immersive tech, and AI innovation—cementing its reputation as a leading destination for creative enterprise in 2025 and beyond.
