World Environment Day: History, Act, Steps to Deal and Themes
World Environment Day is the biggest celebration celebrated worldwide by the United Nations for positive environmental work. There is an interdependent relationship of environment and life, however, we need to take a pledge to protect, promote and develop the environment by celebrating this day separately. This is not only worrying, but also embarrassing. In 1972, the United Nations organized the first environmental conference of countries around the world on the problem of environmental pollution in Stockholm (Sweden). 119 countries participated in this and for the first time, accepted the principle of a single earth. It was in this conference that 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. And its main objective was to awaken the political consciousness and inspire the general public by bringing awareness to the environment. In the seminar, the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi gave a lecture on the subject of ‘deteriorating environment and its impact on the future of the world’. This was India’s initial step towards environment-protection. Since then we have been celebrating World Environment Day on 5 June every year.
Environment Protection Act
Environmental Protection Act came into force from 19 November, 1986. Accordingly, water, air, land – factors related to these three and humans, plants, micro-organisms, other living things etc. come under the environment. The Environmental Protection Act has several important points. Some of these are mentioned below:
- Taking all necessary steps to protect the quality of the environment.
- To plan and implement a nationwide program for the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution.
- Setting standards of environmental quality.
- To co-ordinate the work of the State-Governments, officers and concerned under the Acts relating to environmental protection.
- To delimit areas where the establishment of any industry or industrial activities cannot be conducted, etc. There is a provision of severe punishment for those violating the said Act.
Steps to deal with air pollution, not the government, but we
Air pollution has emerged as a challenge to the whole world. Of the 20 most polluted cities in the world, 14 are from India. According to the report of the World Health Organization, in 2016, maximum one lakh children died due to air pollution in India.
Experts, political leaders and institutions around the world are expressing concern about air pollution.
25 measures have been given by the United Nations so that by 2030, people of Asia and the Pacific region can get clean air. But in the midst of all this, what can you do to deal with this global challenge and control it, it is very important.
Understand the source of pollution
Environmentalist and Social Action for Forest and Environment (SAFE) member Vikrant Tongad says that public can play a very important role in this. To fight air pollution, firstly one need to understand what is the source of pollution.
Such as smoke coming out of vehicles, dust mites along the roads, burning of waste in the open, including burning stubble.
- Cycling, Walking, Pooling
If possible, walk around the distance. This habit will not only keep you fit but will also help in keeping this air clean. Vikrant Tongad says that the higher the number of vehicles on the road, the higher will be the emission.
According to an IIT Kanpur study on air pollution and greenhouse gases in Delhi in 2016, vehicles accounted for 20% and 36% of PM 2.5 and NOx emissions.
Therefore, we should use public transport. If you are taking your vehicle, then pooling should be encouraged.
2. Don’t forget to burn garbage and waste
Vikrant Tongad says that we have the nature of burning garbage. No garbage was gathered anywhere that set it on fire. But to tackle pollution, all of us have to avoid open burning.
The farmers should control the straw, instead of burning it, do composting. If there is a fire in garbage and waste, immediately inform the local authorities.
Vikrant Tongad, Social Action for Forest and Environment
- Clean energy for cooking
Every year 40 lakh people die due to domestic air pollution. The reason for this is the use of polluting fuels and technology for cooking, heating and lighting. Even today, cooking is done by burning wood, coal for cooking in many areas.
More than 3 billion people worldwide use polluting fuels for cooking.
- Composting
Manure can be prepared daily from the kitchen waste like vegetable peels, tea leaves, leftovers of food. Vikrant Tongad advises the same for farmers that instead of burning crop residues, manure can be prepared from it.
- Recycling Waste Material
The misuse of garbage and waste leads to the emission of greenhouse gases. Therefore, you should try to manage waste at your level, in which recycling is very important.
Spray water on the dust around the house, so that these particles do not fly away. Keep this in mind even when cleaning the house.
- Do not put unnecessary light and electronic things on
You may find how the use of light, fans or electric things is related to air pollution. But don’t forget that currently the biggest sources of power generation in our country are thermal power plants, which are based on coal, gas and diesel. So power tools should not be kept on without need.
- Do not promote firecrackers
Vikrant Tongad advises not to promote green crackers or non-green ones.
The World Health Organization has given more ways to deal with air pollution. Such as the use of electric vehicles, the use of renewable sources of energy for household electricity, not driving during busy times, checking the level of air pollution daily.
Vikrant Tongad of Social Action for Forest and Environment (SAFE) says electric vehicles are a good suggestion. Although we believe that there is talk of promoting them, but much special work has not been done in India on this. It is still far away from the reach of the people and is also very expensive.
However, very good work has been done on e-rickshaws. There are also some e-cars, but they are very expensive. Also, there is no concrete system for e-waste disposal. Along with improving the condition of roads for e-vehicles, government policies, national and international investment are needed.
#BeatAirPollution: These 25 measures can give clean air by 2030
According to the WHO, 9 out of every 10 people in the world are breathing in polluted air. Every year more than 70 lakh people die due to air pollution.
Air pollution is the cause of one-third of deaths due to stroke, lung cancer and heart diseases. No matter how rich you are, you cannot avoid air pollution because this poisonous air is all around us. Pollutant particles are so subtle that through air they enter our body and damage our lungs, heart and mind.
In Asia Pacific, less than 8% people get clean air. Four billion people in Asia and the Pacific region are in danger due to air pollution.
• In a three-day global conference on air pollution and health at the World Health Organization’s Geneva Head Quarter from October 30, 2018 to November 1, 2018, 25 measures were discussed to improve the situation by 2030.
Every year in India, air pollution worsens and even then no concrete steps are taken to deal with it.
According to a report presented during the Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, if these 25 measures are implemented properly, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by 20% and methane emissions by 45%.
25 ways to clean poisonous air
1. Strengthen vehicle emission standards
2. Maintenance and inspection of vehicles by rule
3. Increasing the number of electric vehicles
4. Adopt better traffic options
5. Control of dust from construction works and roads
6. Controlling Pollutants from Ships
7. Introducing better industrial control equipment
8. Strengthening emission standards for factories
9. Making Brick Kilns More Clean
10. Controlling Methane in Oil and Gas Production
11. Use of low-solvent paints
12. Use of environmentally friendly refrigerants
13. Providing clean cooking and heating options
14. Restriction on burning of domestic waste
15. Promoting better energy efficiency
16. Increasing use of renewable sources of energy in electricity generation
17. Energy efficiency improvements for industry
18. Recovering gas from coal mines
19. Improvement in fertilizer management
20. Improvement in nitrogen fertilizer management
21. Do not burn crop residue in the open
22. Wildfire Prevention
23. Adopt better ways to grow rice
24. Preventing biogas leakage from wastewater treatment
25. Dealing with Solid Waste
Every year in India, air pollution worsens and even then no concrete steps are taken to deal with it.
According to a report presented during the Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, if these 25 measures are implemented properly, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by 20% and methane emissions by 45%.
Lockdown’s Positive Effect on Environment
The entry of Kovid-19 into the country created quite a stir among the people. The government had to resort to lockdown to save people. Due to its positive impact, not only on humans but also on plants and animals and animals environment is being seen. The lockdown is about to complete 50 days since last March 21. In these days the environment has got 55 percent purity. This was never seen in the last 40 years. In May, people lived in the summer with the highest temperature of 40 to 42 degrees Celsius. People used to bear wind gusts. Today, the weather of May month has become pleasant for the people. In May, almost rivers used to dry wells, but today nature is proving to be a boon for people. There is clear flow of clean water in the rivers, due to the well water in the wells and ponds, people are not having to face the problems of drinking water, which is a great relief for the people. If trees, animals, animals and birds are taken care of, then their old days have also returned.
Parrots, mynas, cuckoos, squirrels, crow, garrisons and various types of butterflies are now seen roaming in the villages. Amazing gleaming green-green green is seen in the leaves of the tree plant. It is proving helpful in purifying the environment. Before the lockdown, due to heavy pollution, animals, animals and birds were seen very rarely in the cities. But today he is also coming towards the cities. There is also a considerable decline in the number of patients falling ill in cities and villages in 50 days, which is quite auspicious for the coming days. People are seeing a lot of happiness due to the sudden drop in pollution due to the lockdown. Now people believe that lockdown is absolutely necessary for at least 20 days once a year. The diseases caused by pollution will be less, which will directly benefit our country and the government will also save thousands of crores of rupees.
World Environment Day Themes
2019
The theme for 2019 was “Beat Air pollution”. The host nation is China. This theme was chosen as it has been killing about 7 million people annually.
2018
The theme for 2018 was “Beat Plastic Pollution”.
2017
The theme for 2017 was ‘Connecting People to Nature – in the city and on the land, from the poles to the equator’.
2016
The 2016 WED was organized under the theme “Go wild for life”. Angola was chosen as the host country of the 2016 WED during the COP21 in Paris.
2015
The Slogan of the 2015 edition of the World Environment Day was “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care”.
2014
The Theme of the 2014 WED was: International Year of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS).
2013
The 2013 theme for World Environment Day was Think.Eat.Save.
2012
The theme for the 2012 World Environment Day was Green Economy.
2011
The theme for 2011 was Forests—Nature At Your Service.
2010
‘Many Species. One Planet. One Future’, was the theme of 2010.
2009
The theme for WED 2009 was ‘Your Planet Needs You – UNite to Combat Climate Change’, and Michael Jackson’s ‘Earth Song’ was declared ‘World Environment Day Song’.
2008
The slogan for 2008 was “CO2, Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy.”
2007
The topic for World Environment Day for 2007 was “Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?”
2006
The topic for WED 2006 was Deserts and Desertification and the slogan was “Don’t desert drylands.”
2005
The theme for the 2005 World Environment Day was “Green Cities” and the slogan was “Plant for the Planet!”.
(Source: Wikipedia)
