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World Environment Day 2025: Young Heroes, It’s Time to Save our Planet!

Mitali k

World Environment Day 2025 is celebrated on June 5th! This isn’t just any day-it’s a global rally to protect our planet, and you are the stars of the show. In 2025, the theme is #BeatPlasticPollution, focusing on stopping the harmful effects of plastic waste on our environment. The Republic of Korea will host the global celebrations.

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The big deal about World Environment Day

Imagine a day when the world throws a party for nature, with millions of people-from children in Mumbai to scientists in Tokyo-joining hands to keep Earth thriving. The World Environment Day celebrations are led by the United Nations Environment Programme (“UNEP”) and has been held annually since 1973. It has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach. It is celebrated by millions of people across the world. Each year, it tackles a mega-issue, and in 2025, we’re battling plastic pollution, the sneaky enemy clogging our oceans and forests.

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Why does this matter to you?

Because our planet is your playground, and plastic is trashing it! A 2025 study warns that over 50% of children born today could face wild climate challenges like floods or wildfires if we don’t act. By diving into World Environment Day, you’re joining a global squad to keep Earth awesome for your future adventures-think hiking, swimming, or stargazing without plastic in the way!

Plastic Pollution: The villain we must defeat

Picture a dolphin tangled in a plastic net or a beach buried under bottles. Not cool, right? Plastic pollution is a massive problem because it never vanishes-it just breaks into tiny bits that haunt our planet for centuries.

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Here’s the latest scoop from 2025 research:

  • Mountain of Trash: Humans churn out 400 million tons of plastic yearly, but only 9% is recycled. The rest piles up in landfills or floats in rivers.
  • Sneaky Danger: Microplastics-those teeny plastic bits-are in our food, water, and even our bodies! They harm animals and could affect your health.
  • Wildlife SOS: Plastic kills over 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals annually, choking their homes like a sci-fi monster.

 

Why 2025 is a game-changer?

This year, World Environment Day is bursting with bold moves. The theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution”, champions a circular economy-think reusing and recycling like nature’s pros (ever seen how leaves become soil?). UNEP’s 2025 campaign, calls for a plastic-free future. Here’s what’s making waves:

  • Kid Power Unleashed: Across India, schools are hosting eco-fests from May 22 to June 5, with games, skits, and clean-up challenges. Win prizes for being the ultimate eco-warrior!
  • India’s Leadership: States like Kerala and Maharashtra are banning single-use plastics, creating plastic-free zones. You’re part of a winning team!
  • Science Rocks: Innovators are crafting clever ways of getting rid of plastics and also finding alternatives to plastic!

 

World Environment Day 2025: Mind-blowing Facts

Want to wow your friends? Drop these 2025 facts about plastic and the environment:

  • Forever Plastic: A plastic straw lasts 200 years longer than a dinosaur’s reign!
  • Ocean Takeover: By 2050, plastic could outweigh fish in the sea. Let’s not let that happen!
  • Kid Genius: A 13-year-old from Delhi built a plastic-collection bot in 2024, proving kids can outsmart pollution!
  • Your mission: Be an Eco-superstar

No cape? No problem! You can save the planet with smarts and spirit. Here are battle-tested ideas for you, inspired by World Environment Day 2025:

 

Ditch the Plastic

  • Rock a reusable water bottle-be-dazzle it with stickers for extra swagger.
  • Skip plastic straws; try stainless steel ones. They’re like ninja gear for sipping!

Recycle Like a Boss

  • Sort trash at home-plastic goes in the blue bin, not the black one. Start a school recycling squad.
  • Make it a contest: who’s the recycling king or queen?

Unleash Your Creativity

  • Transform plastic lids into funky coasters or planters. Paint them neon for a pop!
  • Design posters for your school’s World Environment Day bash.

Join the Fight

  • Sign up or organise for a clean-up drive. Be the hero your park needs!
  • Share your eco-wins online. Tag your friends to join the green revolution!

Spread the Word

Watch UNEP’s kid-friendly videos about plastic’s impact on animals.

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WWF: WildLife In Danger

Mitali k

Living Planet Report (“Report”) is a report which is published by the World Wildlife Foundation (“WWF”) every two years. Experts from all over the world use the Living Planet index to monitor the health of the Earth and the animals. It tracks the population sizes of vertebrates like mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. It also checks if the population of animals is increasing or decreasing, and tries to understand the reasons behind the same, along with giving solutions. The Living Planet Index 2024 has covered the period from 1970 to 2020 and included data on 34,836 populations of 5,495 vertebrate species.

Finding Of The Latest Report 

  • Average wildlife populations have fallen by 73% in 50 years!
  • 85% drop has been reported for the population sizes of freshwater species.
  • Animal species in Latin America and the Caribbean have seen even more extreme average declines of 95% since 1970.
  • North America and Europe are responsible for nature loss in other countries because they import livestock that is grown in areas that were once wild.
  • The biggest threat to wildlife is loss of habitats. Other threats include invasive species, disease, climate change, and pollution.

The Warning!

The Report has warned that due to the rate of decline of animal species, deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, and melting of the polar ice caps in Antarctica, the Earth is fast approaching a tipping point. This could impact food security and livelihoods across the world and even loss of healthy ecosystems across the world. The WWF has called the figures a “wake-up call” and warns in the report that “what happens in the next five years will determine the future of life on Earth”.

Word Check

Tipping points are points which, if reached, there’s no way of getting things back to the way they were.

Did You Know?

The Amazon rainforest is a very important habitat, as it is home to 10% of wildlife species on Earth. The Amazon rainforest converts carbon dioxide into oxygen and is therefore sometimes called the Earth’s Lungs. With respect to the Amazon rainforest, a tipping point could be reached if just 20–25% of the Amazon rainforest were destroyed! It is estimated 14–17% has already been deforested.

What Can Be Done?

The Report has given the following three important suggestions regarding what countries around the world need to do now: 

  1. Transform food production – Currently, the food production INDIAMART system of the world uses 40% of the Earth’s habitable land. This is causing habitat loss, as forests and grasslands are being converted into farmland. The countries need to find more nature-friendly methods of farming nutritious food for the world to eat
  1. Transform finance – The Report has recommended that less money should be invested in environmentally-harmful activities and more into things that help restore nature.
  1. Moving to clean energy – We need to stop greenhouse emissions by stopping the use of fossil fuels. The countries need to use more renewable forms of energy like solar and wind.

The Living Planet Report On India

The Report states that keeping in mind the global demand for food production by 2050, India’s food consumption pattern is the most climate-friendly among G20 nations. The Report has highlighted that India’s diet is the least harmful to the environment. If all countries adopted India’s consumption patterns, the world would require less than one Earth to support food production by 2050, making it a model for sustainability. On the other hand, the Report has also stated that countries like Argentina, Australia, and the US have the least sustainable pattern, with respect to their diet and food choices. 

The Report has recommended that people should eat a more sustainable diet, which would reduce the amount of land needed to produce food. The researchers have said that achieving a healthy and nutritious diet will be heavily influenced by local cultural traditions, individual choice, and available food. The Report has praised India’s National Millet Campaign for promoting climate-resilient grains, such as millets, “In some countries, promoting traditional foods will be an important lever to shift diets. For example, the National Millett Campaign in India is designed to increase national consumption of this ancient grain, which is good for health and highly resilient in the face of climate change”.

Word Check

G20 is a club of countries who meet every year to discuss plans for the world economy. G20 is made up of 19 of the world’s largest economies plus a representative from the European Union.

World Oceans Day: Check History & Significance

Mitali k

World Oceans Day is celebrated every year on June 8 and the main objective of the day is to focus on and create awareness about ocean conservation. World Oceans Day serves as a reminder to everyone about the major role the oceans have in our everyday life. The world’s oceans, their temperature, currents and marine life, drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the ocean. Throughout history, oceans and seas have also been vital for trade and transportation. Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.

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History Of World Oceans Day 

The concept of a ‘World Oceans Day’ was first proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in our lives and the important ways people can help protect it. In 2008, led by Canada, the United Nations General Assembly resolved that June 8 would be designated by the United Nations as “World Oceans Day”. The theme of the inaugural World Oceans Day in 2009 was ‘Our Oceans, Our Responsibility’. The theme for World Oceans Day 2024 is ‘Awaken New Depths.

What was the Earth Summit? 

In 1992, more than 100 heads of state met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the first international Earth Summit convened to address urgent problems of environmental protection and socio-economic development.

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Oceans And The Threats They Face 

Our modern habits and the use of many kinds of technologies have a devastating impact on the oceans and on the marine ecosystems and life in general.

  1. Overfishing
  2. Climate Change
  3. Plastic Pollution

Did You Know? 

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5 to encourage global action to protect the environment. It is led by the United Nations Environment Programme and has been held annually since 1973. It is celebrated by millions of people across the world. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host World Environment Day 2024 with a focus on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.

How Can We Save The Oceans?

The time has come to take action and safeguard the ocean. We can all do our bit by taking small steps. We can:

  1. Conserve Water
  2. Shop Responsibly
  3. Reduce Pollutants 
  4. Use Less Energy
  5. Fish Responsibly 
  6. Reduce Waste 
  7. Reduce Vehicle Pollution 

Some Important Facts About Oceans:

  • Did you know that the Earth has one global ocean? Oceanographers and nations have divided it into five different geographical regions – the Pacific, the Atlantic, India, Arctic, and Southern.
  • The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen.
  • Oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide produced by humans, reducing the impacts of global warming.
  • Oceans play an important role in influencing and regulating the climate on the Earth.
  • Oceans are a major source of food and medicine.
  • The ocean covers 71% of the Earth’s surface. It also holds about 96.5% of all Earth’s water.
  • Ocean is home to 94% of life on Earth. However, the exact number of species that live in the ocean is unknown.
  • The sea is home to the world’s largest living structure – the Great Barrier Reef. It is 2,600km long and can be seen from the Moon.
  • The ocean is very important for our economy. It is estimated that 40 million people will be employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.

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