On June 5th, the world unites to celebrate World Environment Day (WED), a global initiative established by the United Nations to raise awareness and take action on pressing environmental issues. This year, WED calls for an urgent effort to restore and protect our planet, reminding us that we all play a vital role in ensuring a sustainable future.
The theme for World Environment Day 2023 focuses on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution. More than 400 million tons of plastic is produced every year worldwide, half of which is designed to be used only once. Of that, less than 10 per cent is recycled. As a result, microplastics – tiny plastic particles up to 5mm in diameter – find their way into food, water and air. It is estimated that each person consumes more than 50,000 plastic particles per year –and many more if inhalation is considered.
Discarded or burnt single-use plastic harms human health and biodiversity and pollutes every ecosystem, from mountain tops to the ocean floor. With available science and solutions to tackle the problem, governments, companies and other stakeholders must scale up and speed up actions to solve this crisis.
In this special feature article, we delve into the significance of WED 2023 and highlight the efforts of organizations in championing environmental conservation. The relentless efforts in preserving ecosystems, promoting sustainable practices, and raising awareness inspire us to take action and restore our planet. Remember, each one of us has a role to play. Together, we can build a greener, more sustainable future for future generations.
Feature articles:
- Solutions to plastic pollution
- Championing Climate Action in Meru County – Kiamiriru Mpuri Environment and Conservation Group
- Senegalese Initiative: UGPM, CCPA, and FEGPAB, An Innovative Trio for Optimal Soil Health Management
- Counting for better conservation
- Five ways climate change is intensifying the threats to plant health
- Capacity Building for Local Media on Climate Information Dissemination in Burkina Faso
- On Air Dialogues: What rural people in sub-Saharan Africa have to say about climate change
- For farmers facing climate change, radio means resilience
- Helping small-scale farmers withstand climate change through radio