By Dr Meghna Sarma, Dr Moloy S Baruah & Dr Mokidul Islam
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment. First held in 1974, it has since become a global platform for raising awareness about various environmental issues such as marine pollution, overpopulation, global warming, sustainable development, and wildlife crime.The day was established in 1972 by the United Nations during the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment (held from June 5 to 16, 1972), which marked a significant step in recognizing the need to integrate human activities with environmental conservation.
For almost five decades, World Environment Day has been raising awareness, supporting action, and driving change for the environment. It serves as a global platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries every year.
The theme for World Environment Day 2025 is “Ending Global Plastic Pollution.” This year’s campaign, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to mobilize communities worldwide to take action and implement sustainable solutions to combat the growing threat of plastic pollution.Plastic waste has permeated every corner of the planet from the deepest oceans to the food we eat, even entering our bodies in the form of microplastics. In the last decade, plastic pollution has risen exponentially, now reaching an estimated 400 million tons per year, a figure projected to double by 2040 if no action is taken.World Environment Day 2025 calls for urgent and collective action to address this crisis and work towards a future free from plastic pollution.
An estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste end up in lakes, rivers, and seas every year roughly the equivalent weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers. Discarded or burned single-use plastics pose a serious threat to human health and biodiversity, polluting ecosystems from mountaintops to the ocean floor.Time is running out, and nature is in emergency mode. Urgent action is needed to stop the plastic tide and protect the planet for future generations.
Each year, World Environment Day is hosted by a different country where the official celebrations take place. In 2025, the host country is South Korea, which previously hosted the first part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, focusing on plastic pollution in the marine environment.
Meghalaya faces several environmental challenges, with land degradation emerging as a rapidly growing concern. Mining activities have left vast stretches of land unusable for agriculture or human habitation. Additionally, acid mine drainage contaminates nearby water bodies, rendering them unsafe for consumption. The dust and emissions generated during mining significantly degrade air quality, contributing to severe air pollution in affected areas.Despite these challenges, World Environment Day is observed every year across Meghalaya with a range of activities such as tree planting, awareness programmes, clean-up campaigns, street plays, and rallies. These initiatives aim to promote environmental protection, especially in areas like plastic waste management and sustainable development.
World Environment Day is an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and communities to deepen their understanding and take responsible action to protect our environment. This year, the focus is on mobilizing communities globally to implement and advocate for effective solutions, spotlighting the growing body of evidence on the impacts of plastic pollution.
The campaign urges everyone to drive momentum toward the 5Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink the use of plastics. Let us unite in recognizing the importance of this day and commit to sustainable management practices that ensure a healthy and resilient environment for current and future generations.
