Latest news with #UNEP-led
Herald Malaysia
a day ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
World Environment Day 2025: #BeatPlasticPollution
The Republic of Korea hosts the 2025 edition of this World Day as the theme challenges everyone to combat the ever-growing problem of plastic pollution. Jun 06, 2025 World Environment Day observed in Bangladesh (ANSA) By Kielce GussieJune 5 marks World Environment Day – the largest international day dedicated to the environment. Created in 1973 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it has become the biggest environmental outreach, involving the global community across 150 countries in finding solutions to today's most pressing environmental challenges. #BeatPlasticPollution Each year, one country hosts the global celebrations to commemorate the day, and in 2025, they are being held in the Republic of Korea. The theme for 2025 is #BeatPlasticPollution as plastics have polluted almost every aspect of life—seeping into our water, food, and bodies. World Environment Day joins the UNEP-led #BeatPlasticPollution to rally worldwide communities to adopt and support impactful solutions to this issue. This year's World Day points out the growing scientific evidence of the effects of plastic pollution in our world and is centered on garnering support for actions that 'refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink the use of plastics.' A trifecta of problems The use and pollution of plastics amplify the harsh impacts of the triple planetary crisis: climate change; nature, land and biodiversity loss; and pollution and waste. Around the world, about 11 million tons of plastic waste pour into water ecosystems each year. Microplastics load up in the ground soil from sewage and landfills as a result of the use of plastics in agricultural products. Every year, the social and environmental cost of plastic pollution fluctuates between $300 billion and $600 billion. Simple strategy? For decades, plastic pollution has been a major concern as plastics are produced and consumed at an unsustainable rate, which puts the world's health, economic, and social well-being at risk. But, it is also one of the most fixable of the environmental challenges. The UNEP urges governments, companies, and individuals to take on a different approach – one that looks at the 'full life cycle of plastics', from production to consumption to waste management. The goal is to replace harmful, unnecessary plastics with sustainable options that do not negatively impact the environment. A global pact for change But this year's theme is not simply a catchphrase. Rather, it is the continuation of a mission begun in 2022. Three years ago, at the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly, a resolution was adopted that develops an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including the aquatic environment. The 2025 World Environment Day also comes as countries continue to work towards establishing this global treaty dedicated to ending plastic pollution. In November 2024, the Republic of Korea hosted the first part of the fifth session of negotiations to develop a plastic pollution treaty. The second part will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from August 5-14.--Vatican News
Scoop
2 days ago
- General
- Scoop
From Summits To Street Art To Schools: Here's How We're Marking World Environment Day
5 June 2025 Around the world, civil society groups and UN teams are hosting webinars, forums, summits and other diverse celebrations. It's a collective effort that's drawing together different wings of the UN from Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to UN Peacekeeping. Worldwide events On Tuesday, Qatar launched a national biodiversity database, concluding a three-year UNEP-led project. In the Indian capital New Delhi, UNEP hosted the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge National Youth Summit on Tuesday to empower young people to take action to end plastic pollution. As host, Jeju held a commemoration ceremony and the Future Generation Forum on Thursday. Mexico launched its 2025–2030 National Beach and Coastal Clean-Up and Conservation Campaign in Puerto Progreso, Yucatán, with volunteer brigades and a formal ceremony. In Geneva, UNEP and the Orchestre des Nations are presenting a one-hour concert, Our Home, blending music, images and spoken word to highlight ecological emergencies. Brussels is screening the documentary Ocean with legendary environmental campaigner and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, in honour of World Environment Day, World Oceans Day and the UN Ocean Conference. In the United States, Street Art for Mankind unveiled a 245-foot mural for World Environment Day as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, calling for better protection for vulnerable communities. UNESCO initiative In a statement released Thursday, UNESCO reported that over 80,000 schools across 87 countries are following the recommendations in the Green school quality standard released in May 2024. The initiative promotes green learning environments through governance, facilities and operations, teaching, and community engagement. This includes setting up 'green governance committees' and training teachers in sustainable management practices. Peacekeeping and the environment In a video released Wednesday, UN Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare and Environment Section Chief Joanna Harvey outlined how UN Peacekeeping is reducing its environmental footprint. Efforts over the past decade include bringing renewable energy to missions, requiring newer, more efficient generators, supporting local energy providers, and investing in sustainable infrastructure. 'We want to leave behind a legacy… [of] projects that are created by us which are finally beneficial to the local communities,' said Mr. Khare.
News18
2 days ago
- General
- News18
World Environment Day 2025: Inspiring Wishes, Quotes & Images To Share On June 5
Last Updated: Happy World Environment Day 2025: Share these inspiring wishes, quotes, images, and greetings to encourage everyone to protect and preserve the planet. World Environment Day 2025: Observed every year on June 5, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental awareness and action. Celebrated by millions worldwide, it has been led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since its inception in 1973. Over the decades, it has grown into a powerful movement driving change through education and community participation. The Republic of Korea will host World Environment Day in 2025, with a focus on ending plastic waste globally. This year, World Environment Day joins the UNEP-led #BeatPlasticPollution campaign to encourage communities throughout the globe to adopt and promote solutions. This year's theme aims to highlight the harmful impact of plastic waste on ecosystems and to inspire collective action toward sustainable, long-term solutions. Whether you're a passionate environmentalist or just learning about sustainability, sharing quotes and well wishes can inspire others to care for the environment. Here's wishes and quotes that you can share with your family and friends. World Environment Day 2025: Wishes World Environment Day 2025: Quotes 'The environment is where we all meet, where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share." – Lady Bird Johnson 'If we surrendered to earth's intelligence, we could rise up rooted, like trees." – Rainer Maria Rilke 'The Earth does not belong to us: we belong to the Earth." – Marlee Matlin 'The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." – Robert Swan 'One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken." – Leo Tolstoy 'Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." – Albert Einstein World Environment Day – FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) What is World Environment Day? World Environment Day is the United Nations' principal platform to raise awareness and encourage action for the protection of the environment. When is World Environment Day celebrated? It is celebrated every year on June 5. Who organises World Environment Day? It is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and supported by governments, organizations, and individuals globally. Why was June 5 chosen for this day? June 5 marks the opening day of the historic 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm, which laid the foundation for modern environmental diplomacy. Why is World Environment Day important? It mobilizes millions around the world to take environmental action. It serves as a reminder that everyone has a role in building a greener, more sustainable future. How can individuals participate in World Environment Day? top videos View all How can schools and organisations get involved? They can organize eco-friendly activities like tree planting, awareness campaigns, art contests, recycling initiatives, or host guest speakers on environmental topics. About the Author Bhaswati Sengupta Bhaswati Sengupta is a Sub-Editor at News18, where she works closely with the Web Stories and Photo Gallery team to create visually engaging and impactful digital content. She also contributes to Lifestyle More The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : lifestyle World Environment day Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 05, 2025, 07:10 IST News lifestyle World Environment Day 2025: Inspiring Wishes, Quotes & Images To Share On June 5
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Health
- Gulf Today
Passive cooling solutions to counter oppressive heat conditions
The impact of heat in India has been severe in recent years, with numerous heat-related deaths, widespread reports of heatstroke and school closures reported. This year, the thermometer climbed above 40°C in many places in late April, earlier than normal, according to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) feature. 'Even if nations start bringing down the greenhouse gas emissions warming the planet, temperature extremes are here to stay for the foreseeable future,' said Balakrishna Pisupati, who leads the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) India office. 'Facing the kind of oppressive heat we have seen, people across this country will need to adapt, especially in ways that do not worsen the climate is where passive cooling solutions come in, he adds. According to the UNEP feature, passive cooling solutions range from reflective roofs to cool pavements to shade-providing tree cover. Crucially, and unlike air conditioning, these solutions do not spew out planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions nor enflame the climate crisis. India has emerged as a global champion of passive cooling, integrating these approaches into national policies and city planning, often with the support of UNEP. As UNEP states, India's cities are particularly at risk due to climate change and extreme heat, as rising temperatures are exacerbated by urban heat island effects and inequitable access to cooling. Left unchecked, this heat could expose up to 200 million people in India to lethal heatwaves in the 2030s, reduce India's GDP by 2%, cause the loss of 34 million jobs, and make it that much harder for millions of people to escape poverty. India's cities cannot just air-condition a way out of this extreme heat crisis. Best practices from India and around the world show that by taking a whole-systems approach to urban cooling, Indian cities can solve their cooling challenge and increase their heat resilience. Urban cooling and cold chain are two critically under-supported areas under the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP). Two projects, delivered under the framework of the UNEP Cool Coalition, will support the Government of India to lead a transition to sustainable, accessible and climate-friendly cooling. One such project is in the Indian capital. Delhi is one of the hottest major cities, with temperatures reportedly feeling like 50°C with humidity. To help give commuters relief from the heat, the UNEP-led Cool Coalition in partnership with national and local government bodies are installing a 'cool roof' on the bustling Kashmere Gate interstate bus terminal. The roof, which covers nearly 150,000 square feet, will be retrofitted with a surface that reflects at least 80% of solar heat, helping to cool upwards of 100,000 commuters daily. Another example is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY) – India's flagship affordable housing scheme; to date, it has provided safe, secure homes to millions of families. However, in many affordable housing projects across India, keeping cool remains a challenge. Together with UNEP, PMAY aims to integrate passive cooling features – such as natural ventilation and insulated walls – into the 10 million homes the government targets for delivery by 2029. These efforts could reduce electricity use by up to 35%, by lowering indoor temperature by 3°C and giving families 40% more time in the year without needing cooling. Again, in the city of Chennai in southern India, where dense population, high-rise buildings and shortage of green space are causing temperatures to spike, attempts are on to reduce this so-called heat-island effect. UNEP's Cool Coalition and India's CEPT University mapped the city's hottest areas and provided officials with recommendations on how to use nature and passive cooling to bring down temperatures. These are being integrated into Chennai's masterplan and can reduce urban heat by up to 4°C and cut heat-caused illnesses by 15-30%. Furthermore, according to the feature, in India, most cities do not take a standardized, scientific approach for mapping urban heat, which is essential to developing plans that address scorching temperatures. To change this, UNEP and partners are supporting central and state government efforts in India to adopt cutting-edge strategies for identifying and addressing urban heat hotspots and helping develop guidelines on how these government agencies can use disaster-related funding on projects to reduce temperatures in urban areas.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
4 days ago
- General
- Business Standard
World Environment Day 2025: History, theme, significance and host country
Every year on 5 June, the world unites for World Environment Day – an urgent global call to protect the planet. Observed across more than 150 countries, it stands as the largest international platform dedicated to raising awareness and sparking action for the environment. Offices, schools, the government, other organisations, and local bodies host events on World Environment Day to increase public awareness of environmental issues. This year, the spotlight is on plastic pollution, urging communities to confront this mounting crisis and take collective action to safeguard the planet for future generations. What is the World Environment Day 2025 theme? On World Environment Day, urgent environmental issues are brought to light. A different theme is selected each year, addressing topics such as deforestation, global warming, and climate change. "Putting an End to Plastic Pollution" is the 2025 World Environment Day theme. This year, World Environment Day complements the UNEP-led #BeatPlasticPollution campaign to encourage communities throughout the globe to adopt and promote sustainable solutions. World Environment Day: History World Environment Day was established in 1972 during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm. Later that year, the UN General Assembly officially designated June 5 as World Environment Day. The first celebration took place in 1973 with the theme 'Only One Earth,' marking the beginning of what would become the largest global platform for environmental awareness. Since then, Environment Day has grown to be the biggest environmental awareness event in the world. Each year, a host nation spearheads the campaign, which raises awareness of a certain issue. What is the significance of World Environment Day? The triple threat of pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change is worsened by plastic pollution. 11 million tons of plastic garbage are dumped into water environments annually, and microplastics from landfills and sewage build up in soil, causing environmental damage. Between $300 to $ 600 billion is the estimated yearly cost of plastic pollution. Environment Day encourages governments to implement substantive policy reforms in addition to educating the public. Today, more than 150 countries celebrate the day, which encourages clean-up programs, plantation initiatives, awareness-raising campaigns, school events, and environmentally beneficial commitments. Environment Day 2025 special: Impact of plastic pollution in India Approximately one-fifth of the world's plastic garbage is produced in India. Every year, the nation produces between 9.3 and 9.5 million tonnes of plastic waste. This includes the daily generation of about 0.12 kg of garbage per person. Hence, Plastic pollution is harmful in many ways: • Plastic waste contaminates soil and water, blocks drains, and damages wildlife. • Toxic pollutants are released when over 5.8 million tonnes of plastic garbage are burned each year. • Waste management is a big problem in urban regions, particularly in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. • India's extensive coastline is impacted because marine life frequently eats plastic, as they mistake it for food, upsetting the marine ecosystem. • India has to address this by enforcing a stronger plastic ban, enhancing recycling programs, and educating the public in waste management and community cleanup initiatives. Which country is hosting World Environment Day 2025? World Environment Day 2025 will be officially hosted this year by the Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea. Jeju Province, a scenic island renowned for its environmental initiatives and sustainable living patterns, will be the centre of the celebrations. Jeju has taken decisive action to eliminate plastic by 2040. Local governments have boosted recycling, encouraged eco-tourism, and mandated garbage separation at the source. As the host nation, Korea will lead international discussions, policy decisions, and activities aimed at reducing plastic pollution. Panel discussions, cleanup campaigns, public pledges, and innovative displays of plastic alternatives will all be part of the events. A nation will inspire other countries and will share best practices by hosting Environment Day this year.
