World Environment Day (5 June): History, Significance & Report

 

World Environment Day (5 June): History, Significance & Report

 

 

 

“Run towards saving the environment before we have to run towards survival battle”

World Environment Day is observed by the United Nations (UN) each year on June 5 for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues, with participation from over 143 countries annually. The day highlights human activities which lead to severe environmental consequences and brings attention to small changes in the daily life styles and adopting certain living habits which can reduce the harm caused to the environment.

 

World Environment Day is the largest celebration observed worldwide by the United Nations for positive environmental work. Environment and life have an interdependent relationship, however we need to take a pledge to protect, promote and develop the environment by celebrating this day separately. This is not only worrisome, but also shameful.

 

History of World Environment Day (5^th June):

 

In 1972, the United Nations organized the first environmental conference of countries around the world in Stockholm (Sweden) on the problem of environmental pollution. In this 119 countries participated and for the first time accepted the principle of one earth. In this conference, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) was born and it was decided to make citizens aware of the problem of pollution by organizing Environment Day on 5 June every year.

 

Significance/ Objectives:

 

Its main objective was to awaken political consciousness and inspire the general public by bringing awareness to the environment. The then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi gave a lecture on the topic 'The deteriorating state of the environment and its impact on the future of the world'. This was India's initial step towards environmental protection. Since then we have been celebrating World Environment Day every year on 5th June. The aim of World Environment Day will be the same, "Save the Earth."

 

There was a time when different countries talked about protecting the environment in their respective borders. But when the United Nations was formed, this discussion became global and in 1972, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 5 to be celebrated as World Environment Day. Its main purpose is to protect nature and the earth and to improve the environment.

 

On this day, many programmes are organized at the level of schools, colleges, universities in almost all the countries of the world, so that the coming generation can understand the importance of protecting the environment. On this day people remember the conventions like Stockholm, Helsinki, London, Vienna, Kyoto and Montreal Protocol, Rio Declaration, United Nations Environment Programme etc. An account of the efforts accomplished in the seminars is presented. Concern is expressed over unfinished work.

 

In the modern era, air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, thermal pollution, radioactive pollution, industrial pollution, ocean pollution, radioactive pollution, urban pollution, polluted rivers and the dangers of climate change and global warming are constantly knocking. In such a situation, the warning of history seems to be the message of Environment Day. Environmental consciousness has increased in the last few years.

 

School Report / Report:

 

With the increasing global environmental issues due to pollution and deforestation, it is necessary to inculcate the feeling of love and affection towards nature, in the hearts and minds of children right from very tender age. Especially school students should be sensitive towards environmental issues for a hopeful and brighter future.

   
A workshop was planned on the occasion of World Environment Day (5 June) based on - ‘Loving the Nature’ for the students of classes III to XII. Through a series of activities, the students were taught about nature’s gifts and special efforts were made to develop in students a feeling of love towards all components of nature. The students were involved and indulged into workshop activities to learn and show reverence and appreciation towards nature’s gifts. The workshop made the students aware of the consequences of destructive activities such as deforestation, plucking flowers, harming or killing birds and animals.

 

The workshop was appropriately designed for age group: 9 to 16 years, i.e. from Class 3rd to 12th. This workshop provided detailed guidelines to the teachers to conduct Environment friendly activities in their classroom activities on regular basis. All the necessary resources such as videos/ PPT/ display resource/ handouts/ worksheets/ Parents’ circular etc. required conducting the Environment friendly activities were discussed separately with the school teachers.

The school teachers and students run a “Save Environment Drive” by organizing a rally including students, teachers and school fourth class employees. They carried posters and shouted slogans to raise an awareness campaign among the residents of nearby area. The group also carried saplings with them to gift them to the nearby residents to make the environment near school clean and green. The students, teachers and the Principal also planted saplings in the school campus and took a pledge to nurture them regularly. A group of students represented school at PWD Department of the city and submitted a request letter to the Director General PWD to take every measure to protect the environment. 

 

Also read: Environmental Sustainability