World Environment Day 2024: Date, Theme, History And All You Need To Know

World Environment Day is an annual event led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It is celebrated on June 5 every year. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about pressing environmental issues and promoting action towards a more sustainable future.

The World Environment Day 2024 campaign focuses on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience under the slogan 'Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration." According to the UN, land restoration is a key pillar of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems around the world, which is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the global host for World Environment Day 2024, reaffirming its commitment to protect the environment and promote sustainable development, in line with the Vision 2030 goals.

Land degradation is a global problem, affecting vast swathes of land across the world, impacting billions of people and jeopardising vital ecosystems.

World Environment Day was conceptualised at the United Nations Conference on Human Environment, which took place in Stockholm, Sweden, from June 5 to June 16, 1972. During this conference, delegates discussed various environmental issues and challenges facing the world. The UN General Assembly designated June 5 as World Environment Day to mark the beginning of global environmental awareness and action. Since then, World Environment Day has been celebrated annually, with a different theme each year. The first World Environment Day was celebrated in 1973 under the theme 'Only One Earth'.

Ahead of World Environment Day 2024, the UNEP has shared various ways to restore vital landscapes and combat desertification and drought:

1. Make agriculture sustainable: Promote organic farming. Embrace regional, seasonal and plant-rich diets, and include more soil-friendly food in meals, such as beans, lentils, chickpeas and peas.

2. Save the soil: Make compost from leftover scraps of fruit and vegetables for use in gardens and balcony plant pots.

3. Protect the pollinators: Create pollinator-friendly habitats by planting native wildflowers and reducing pesticide use.

4. Restore freshwater ecosystems: Protect and restore wetlands, rivers, and lakes that play a crucial role in water purification and maintaining healthy ecosystems. Implement sustainable water management practices.

5. Renew coastal and marine areas: Protect mangroves and seagrass meadows that buffer coastlines from erosion and provide vital habitat for marine life. Implement sustainable fishing practices.

6. Bring nature back to cities: Install more roofs and vertical gardens in buildings to provide habitats for birds, insects and plants.

7. Generate financing for restoration: Move bank accounts to financial institutions that invest in sustainable enterprises, donate to restoration or crowd-fund innovations that can help save the planet.