Observation of international celebrations are opportunities to raise public awareness about key issues, organize political aids to address global issues. The United Nations launched World Environment Day in 1972 as a culmination of deliberations about human activities and the environment during the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment which held between 5th–16th June the same year in Sweden. The inaugural World Environment Day (WED) was observed two years later, in 1974, flagging the theme "Only One Earth." It was largely recognized as the world's first environmental conference. Since then, the yearly celebration, which takes place on June 5, has served to both commemorate the planet and draw attention to the threats it faces. This event has sparked a change that have resulted in international treaties addressing serious environmental issues. The last five decades have witnessed the marking of WED with massive participation from individuals and organizations worldwide. Each of these year's events were marked with different themes; air pollution, biodiversity loss, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, climate change, plastic pollution among others.
WED 2022, is being hosted by SWEDEN and the theme for deliberation is Only One Earth, which emphasizes the essence of living sustainably in balance with nature. It's a homage to the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1972, as well as a warning on the diminishing effect of the world's resources. It asks for worldwide collaborative, revolutionary action to honour, defend, and repair our planet.
The stark reality that Earth is deteriorating rapidly is becoming more alarming by the day. Changes in climate, biodiversity depletion, pollution are evidences that the earth is currently at its critical phase as time runs out. The only solution to this predicament is to change our economy and communities to make them more environmentally conscious and considerate. The global community must make a transition from damaging to restoring the environment. To achieve the goal of reducing global warming below 1.5°C, yearly greenhouse gas emissions must be cut in half by 2030. People and organizations, however, play an important role as activists and facilitators of this cause.
To mark this year’s WED, we must remember that every little effort and deeds matter. If we are going to secure the lives of our future generation and ensure continuity on earth, collective efforts should be carried out to save the only place we have to live in. So, let’s rise up to the challenge and play our parts.
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