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| Source: Your story |
Today, on the 5th
of June, it is a particularly important environmental awareness day: World
Environment Day (WED). The United Nations designated 5 June as World
Environment Day. The United Nations became increasingly aware that the
protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue, impacting
the wellbeing of people all over the world. They are the leading global voice
on the environment.
It is a day
that’s celebrated internationally to encourage awareness and action to protect
our environment. Since its inception in 1974, it has grown exponentially as
it is celebrated in more than 100 countries. In fact, it has become an imperative
global platform for public outreach.
People from all
over the world are invited to action to take care of our planet and raise
awareness of the environment and specific environmental issues.
The host
This year's host
is China, where the official celebrations will be taking place. As
part of this, the host highlights the environmental challenges it faces and
supports worldwide efforts to address them.
Theme
Every year, WED
is organized around a particular theme drawing much-needed attention to a
particularly pressing environmental concern. The theme and focus for 2019 is “Beat
Air pollution”, a global concern impacting people and the environment
negatively. “We can't stop breathing, but we can do
something about the quality of air that we breathe.”
“Approximately 7
million people worldwide die prematurely each year from air pollution.”
“In particular
WED 2019 urges governments, industry, communities, and individuals alike to
come together to explore renewable energy and green technologies, and improve
air quality in cities and regions across the world.”
What causes Air Pollution?
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| Source: NRDC |
“Air pollution
may seem complex, but we can all do our part to reduce some of it.
Understanding the different types of pollution, namely agriculture, household,
industry, transport and how it affects our health and environment will help us
take steps towards improving the air around us.”
Air Pollution facts
·
92 per cent of people worldwide do
not breathe clean air
·
Air pollution costs the global
economy $5 trillion every year in welfare costs
·
Ground-level ozone pollution is
expected to reduce staple crop yields by 26 per cent by 2030
·
More than 6 billion people –
one-third of them children – regularly breathe air that is so polluted it puts
their health and well-being at risk.
“Today, we face
an equally urgent crisis. It is time to act decisively,” UN Secretary-General
António Guterres said in his official message for World Environment Day. “My
message to governments is clear: tax pollution; end fossil fuel subsidies; and
stop building new coal plants. We need a green economy not a grey economy.”
References
