United Nations(UN)’s World Environment Day is annually observed across the globe on 5th June to promote and encourage the involvement of the government, businesses, celebrities and citizens to focus on environmental issues.
Theme –
- World Environment Day 2021 is focused on ecosystem restoration and its theme is “Reimagine. Recreate.Restore.”
- Pakistan is the host of 2021 World Environment Day, they host the day with the theme “Ecosystem restoration”.
Note:
Every year the events of World Environment Day are hosted by different host countries.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/2994 (XXVII) on 15th December 1972 and proclaimed the 5th June of every year as World Environment Day.
ii.The World Environment day was first observed in 1974 to support the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to create awareness and generate political momentum on various issues like depletion of the ozone layer, toxic chemicals, desertification and global warming.
Why June 5?
June 5th coincides with the first day of the first major conference on environmental issues held in Stockholm, Sweden, which is known as the Conference on the Human Environment, or the Stockholm Conference.
Note:
The UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/2997 (XXVII) in 1972 which led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a specialized agency on environmental issues.
2021 Events in India:
i.The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has jointly organised an event on World Environment Day.
ii.The theme of the 2021 World Environment Day event is “Promotion of biofuels for better environment”.
iii.The Films Division of India has organised a 2 day online film festival “Oasis of Hope” on 5th to 6th June 2021 as a part of the celebration of World Environment Day 2021.
United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030:
World Environment Day 2021 marks the formal launch of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030.
Aim:
To prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean
Restoration of the ecosystem:
i.The restoration of the ecosystem enables substantial benefits for the people and also creates jobs in rural areas.
ii.Various countries across the globe have invested in ecosystem restoration as a part of their efforts to bounce back from COVID-19.
About United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
Executive Director– Inger Andersen
Headquarters– Nairobi, Kenya
