5th June is designated as ‘World Environment Day’ by the United Nations and is observed all across the world. This day seeks to create awareness about the responsible conduct of humankind and communities in preserving and enhancing the environment.
The theme for World Environment Day 2019
The theme for the ‘World Environment Day’ 2019 is ‘Beat Air Pollution.’ Unfortunately, in the world today, nine of out ten people are exposed to levels of air pollution that exceed the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization. This appalling fact reinforces that immediate steps need to be taken to overcome the menace of air pollution. This day seeks to raise awareness about the ill-effects of air pollution on the environment at large and urge citizens across the world to take urgent steps to reduce it.
History of World Environment Day
1972 was a landmark year for environmental concerns. This is because the first ever conference on environmental issues was held this year in Stockholm, Sweden. The conference was called ‘Conference on the Human Environment’ was held from 5th to 16th June 1972 and it addressed the issues on how to conserve and improve the environment.
To commemorate this first environmental conference, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed a resolution later in 1972 to designate 5th June as World Environment Day.
Subsequently, the first World Environment Day was observed in 1974. Since then, it has been celebrated by millions across over a hundred nations in the world.
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