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World Environment Day, 5th of June: History, Significance and Themes

World Environment Day is an annual event celebrated on June 5th, with the primary goal of encouraging global environmental awareness and fostering actions that protect our planet. This day serves as a pivotal reminder to delve into the history, significance, and evolving themes associated with environmental conservation.

Administrator

11 July, 2024

The 5th of June every year becomes significant and important for the environment globally as it is “World Environment Day”. On this day, many environmental protection activities are promoted and propagated. Do you really know the history, meaning and theme of this day? Join us to explore in the following article!

1 What is World Environment Day?

When is World Environment Day?

If you’re wondering when World Environment Day is, the answer is June 5th! This is the day that the United Nations stands to commemorate each year, with many different countries around the world joining and participating in this event.

2 History and Meaning of World Environment Day

Origin of World Environment Day

World Environment Day was first organized on June 5, 1972, in Stockholm, Sweden. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) officially announced this significant event, and since then, more than 150 countries worldwide have joined in the celebration from 1972 until now.

During this occasion, environmental protection activities are promoted and organized during the week surrounding June 5. The commemoration ceremony is held in different countries each year.

Vietnam has also actively joined in this global event since 1982. Thanks to this, our country has been able to organize many meaningful activities for the Vietnamese people to participate in and join forces to protect the environment. Up to now, Vietnam has made significant contributions to protecting and preserving the green, clean, and beautiful living environment.

Significance of World Environment Day

World Environment Day holds tremendous significance for the global human living environment. This event helps the world rekindle inspiration, foster thoughts, and focus on the living environment, joining hands to take practical actions to protect the environment.

Each year, there is an official message for World Environment Day decided by the UN Secretary-General and communicated to countries and people worldwide. This message includes orientations on environmental issues and the protection of green spaces, urging all nations to unite in their commitment to taking action.

Most importantly, this day can convey meaningful environmental messages to children – the future stewards of our planet. Through this, they will understand the importance of environmental protection and join hands to contribute to safeguarding our green planet.

3 Theme of World Environment Day

Theme of World Environment Day 2023

The theme for World Environment Day 2023, also marking the 50th anniversary of this event, is “Solutions to Plastic Pollution” with the slogan “Beat Plastic Pollution.”

Themes of World Environment Day in Previous Years

2015:

The theme was “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.”

2016:

The theme was “Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife Trade.”

2017:

The theme was “Connecting People to Nature – in the City and on the Land, from the Poles to the Equator.”

2018:

The theme was “Beat Plastic Pollution,” aiming to encourage changes in daily life to reduce the burden of plastic pollution.

2019:

The theme for World Environment Day 2019 was “Beat Air Pollution.”

2020:

The theme chosen by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for World Environment Day 2020 was “Time for Nature.”

2021:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) selected “Ecosystem Restoration” as the theme for World Environment Day 2021.

2022:

Last year, in 2022, World Environment Day was launched with the theme “Only One Earth.”

4 Activities for World Environment Day

World Environment Day in Different Countries

With more than 150 countries participating in World Environment Day, various activities are held to mark this occasion in different forms and on varying scales. Some notable activities include tree planting, cycling parades for the environment, environmental clean-up drives, green concerts, writing and drawing competitions, organizing quizzes about the environment, waste clean-up campaigns, tree-planting campaigns, waste recycling, and fashion design contests, to name a few.

World Environment Day in Vietnam

In Vietnam, World Environment Day is enthusiastically celebrated through specific activities such as hanging banners, posters, and panels for propaganda, organizing rallies, environmental clean-up campaigns, tree planting, and waste collection and treatment; collecting, sorting, and treating domestic waste and plastic waste in agencies and residential areas; and building and implementing strategies, tasks, projects, and proposals for environmental protection.

5 Frequently Asked Questions about World Environment Day

Frequently Asked Questions about World Environment Day

How many years has World Environment Day been celebrated in 2023?

World Environment Day was first held in 1972. Therefore, in 2023, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day.

What is the difference between World Environment Day and Earth Day?

Earth Day is sponsored by US Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental workshop first held on April 22, 1970.

In addition to World Environment Day, Earth Day is also a globally celebrated event, particularly held on April 22 each year, to raise awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment.

Frequently asked questions

World Environment Day is a global event celebrated annually on the 5th of June. It is a day to raise awareness and take action to protect our environment. The day was established by the United Nations in 1972 and has since been celebrated worldwide.

The first World Environment Day was celebrated in 1973, and the theme was ‘Only One Earth’. Since then, the day has been hosted in a different city each year, with a unique theme. In 2022, the host country was Sweden and the theme was ‘Only One Earth’, a reminder of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm.

World Environment Day is a reminder to governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to focus their efforts on creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment. It is a day to reflect on our impact on the planet and take positive action to protect it.

The themes of World Environment Day vary each year, focusing on different environmental issues. Some recent themes include ‘Beat Air Pollution’ in 2019, ‘Time for Nature’ in 2020, and ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ in 2021. The theme for 2022, as mentioned, was ‘Only One Earth’.