5 June – World Environment Day

Every year on 5 June, World Environment Day is celebrated around the world – a global environmental campaign initiated by the United Nations (UN). Its aim is to draw public attention to environmental problems, promote understanding of the need to preserve natural values and encourage everyone to take sustainable action. Since 1973, World Environment Day has become the largest international platform for raising environmental issues, bringing together millions of people in more than 150 countries every year.

World Environment Day was established by the UN after the UN Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972, which became an important turning point in international environmental policy. In December of the same year, the UN General Assembly designated 5 June as World Environment Day, calling on countries and organisations around the world to carry out activities that strengthen care for the environment and promote public understanding of the importance of nature conservation.

The central theme of this year’s World Environment Day is climate action. The organisers of the international campaign stress that climate change is no longer a challenge for the future – its impact is already being felt around the world, causing extreme weather, loss of biodiversity, droughts, floods and other environmental risks. At the same time, there is increasing emphasis on the need not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also to rethink current patterns of resource use and strengthen society’s ability to adapt to climate change.

Nature conservation and the preservation of biodiversity are among the most important preconditions for sustainable development. Forests, bogs, rivers, lakes, coastal areas and other natural ecosystems provide clean air and water, regulate the climate, reduce flood risks and serve as habitats for thousands of plant and animal species. Preserving them is essential for both natural values and human well-being.

In Latvia, too, natural values face various challenges – habitat fragmentation, the spread of invasive species, the impact of climate change and increasing pressure on natural resources. That is why it is particularly important to continue researching and protecting natural values and educating the public about environmental issues.

World Environment Day is an opportunity for everyone to think about their role in preserving nature. Environmentally friendly choices in everyday life – responsible consumption, sorting waste, saving resources, caring for natural areas and getting involved in environmental initiatives – are an important contribution to our shared work for the environment and future generations.

Caring for the environment is not just one day in the calendar. It is a long-term responsibility and a shared task to preserve biodiversity, healthy ecosystems and a good living environment both today and in the future.

Photo: Andris Soms and Agnese Priede