World Environment Day is observed annually on June 5 to raise public awareness about environmental protection and the importance of nature in our everyday lives. Earth, our home, is threatened by pollution, climate change, and global warming. Thus it is more important than ever to raise awareness about these issues.

Figure 1 – World Environment Day 2022. Source – Google

World Environment Day has evolved to be the most significant worldwide forum for environmental outreach, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and hosted yearly since 1973. Millions of people throughout the globe celebrate it. Every year, a new nation hosts World Environment Day with formal activities. Sweden will host World Environment Day in 2022. To commemorate the 1972 United Nations Conference on Human Environment, Sweden and Kenya are convening a high-level international summit titled “Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our duty, our chance” in Stockholm on June 2 and 3, 2022. Five decades after the 1972 Stockholm Conference, the Government of Sweden will organize Stockholm+50 on June 2 and 3, 2022, with cooperation from the Government of Kenya. This international gathering marked the 50th anniversary of the leading conference and its final papers, most notably the Stockholm Declaration. Stockholm+50 will help expedite efforts toward a more sustainable society, including a long-term recovery from the COVID-19 epidemic. The meeting reflected on the urgent need for actions toward a healthy planet and the prosperity of all, achieving a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and accelerating the implementation of the environmental dimension of Sustainable Development in the context of the Decade of Action in three leadership dialogues. The summit also emphasized the themes and results of the event commemorating UNEP’s 50th anniversary (UNEP@50), which will be held in Nairobi in March 2022.

Figure 2 – Theme of 2022 World Environment Day. Source – Google

The campaign motto is “Only One Earth,” emphasizing “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature.” The concept pushes for worldwide, dramatic environmental change. The campaign highlights climate action, environmental action, and pollution action while urging people worldwide to live more sustainably. While our individual consumption decisions certainly have an impact, collective action will bring about the dramatic environmental change required to move us toward a more sustainable and fair Earth where everyone may thrive.

We often overlook how much natural systems contribute to our overall well-being. But we are part of nature and rely on it. So today is the ideal time to visit your country’s national parks and commemorate this crucial link. More and more individuals realize the need to manage our planet’s resources and ecosystems sustainably. That view, however, is far from universal. That is why World Environment Day is so important: it promotes awareness and educates friends and family about the importance of the physical environment. But, before fostering environmental awareness in your local community, ensure you understand environmental concerns well. There’s always something new to learn! The environment has grown more contaminated with chemicals and poisons, which are detrimental to human health. They may cause respiratory disorders and cancer, to name a few. World Environment Day motivates us to take action and improve the environment we can’t live without by increasing awareness of the problems with the air we breathe

Figure 3 – Understanding recycling. Source – Google

Here is how you can make a difference in the environment –

It may seem to be a simple idea, but are you recycling at every opportunity? Think again the next time you’re ready to toss that piece of paper in the garbage because there isn’t a recycling container nearby. Holding a plastic container and too lazy to check to see whether it’s biodegradable? Search for it on your smartphone! Everyone, including you, is accountable for lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

By trapping aromas and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and ozone) and particles in their leaves and bark, trees absorb odors and pollutant gases and filter particulates out of the air. When carefully placed around a single-family house, they may reduce summer air conditioning demands by up to 50%. We cut carbon dioxide and other environmental emissions from power plants by lowering the energy demand for cooling our homes.

Anyone may volunteer, and volunteering can benefit the whole community. Volunteer with the National Park Service or remain close to home by helping at your local farmers’ market. You’ll experience the tremendous influence of getting out of the house and caring for the world no matter how you choose to participate.

Nature is in an emergency state as time runs out. To keep global warming at 1.5°C this century, we must cut yearly greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. Without action, exposure to air pollution beyond permissible levels would grow by 50% within a decade, and plastic debris entering aquatic environments will triple by 2040.

Figure 4 – Global Warming effects. Source – Google

We need immediate action to solve these grave concerns, making “Only One Earth” and its emphasis on living sustainably and in harmony with nature as relevant as ever.

Anand Subramanian is a freelance photographer and content writer based out of Tamil Nadu, India. Having a background in Engineering always made him curious about life on the other side of the spectrum. He leapt forward towards the Photography life and never looked back. Specializing in Documentary and Portrait photography gave him an up-close and personal view into the complexities of human beings and those experiences helped him branch out from visual to words. Today he is mentoring passionate photographers and writing about the different dimensions of the art world.