Everyone is going green these days, for obvious reasons. Large companies and individuals are taking up green practices maybe because our planet needs this now more than ever. World environment day (or Eco Day) is a day dedicated for the betterment of our environment. In this day, let’s shed some light on this topic and celebrating World Environment Day.
History
The celebration of this day was initiated way back in 1972 by the UN. However, the first celebration took place in 1974 which shows environmental awareness goes back a couple of decades. Since then, it has successfully become the single largest celebration of the environment in the world. Right now, more than a hundred countries and many local communities celebrate this occasion. World Environment Day takes place on June 5, every year. However, it is not a public holiday; it is an awareness day which is celebrated to raise awareness about our environment.
Facts
It’s a sad thing for us but Dhaka is among the top three most polluted major cities on Earth. The moment you step out of your house, you’re likely to face an overcrowded, congested and polluted environment. We need environmental development now more than ever. However, changes like this don’t take place overnight. Did you know that according to the UN Environment Programme, 92 per cent of people worldwide do not breathe clean air, air pollution costs the global economy $5 trillion every year in welfare costs, and ground-level ozone pollution is expected to reduce staple crop yields by 26 per cent by 2030? If that doesn’t raise concern within us then nothing will.
However, be it through architecture or directly imposed practices, every small change counts. As we move towards urban development, we are constantly taking necessary measures that will help towards building a better future, by building a better environment.
Celebrating World Environment Day
Starting from NGOs to celebrities, influencers and local communities, a lot of people celebrate WED to raise awareness by talking about major environmental issues.
World Environment Day is celebrated in many ways. Usually activities like clear-up-garbage campaigns are popular along concerts, conventions and parades, tree planting, and seminars. Nowadays, people are also coming up with fun challenges over various social media platforms that also contribute into making our surroundings a little better than before.
Every year, a country and a theme is chosen for the celebration of this day. Last year, it was India and the theme was ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ (which is a major concern, by the way) and following the event, many researches were conducted in order to find the extent to which our environment has been affected and how we can take measures to battle against the damage. The year before, Canada hosted the event and the theme was ‘Connecting People and Nature’. WED includes everything, starting from global warming to sustainable food production, pollution to the protection of wildlife.
This year, World Environment Day 2019 will be hosted by China and the theme of the day is ‘Air Pollution’. China with its growing green sector is making quite the image of a green nation. By hosting this event, China will be able to showcase their newer green inventions and how they are contributing to making our world cleaner.
Every little change counts. Are you doing any green practices? What about keep plants at home or office? Let us know in the comment section below!
