World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5, the most emblematic date for environmental action at a global level. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 and led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this day represents a call to raise awareness and mobilize to protect our environment.

This year, the campaign focuses on the importance of ending plastic pollution, one of the most urgent challenges to the health of the planet, biodiversity and people.

More than 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, two-thirds of which are designed to be used only once and quickly become waste. Of these, around 11 million tons end up in rivers, lakes and seas, seriously affecting more than 800 marine and coastal species due to ingestion, entanglement or other damage.

This waste not only threatens biodiversity, but also our health. It is estimated that people ingest more than 50,000 plastic particles per year, a figure that could be even higher if inhaled particles are considered. Microplastics, particles smaller than 5 mm, are found in the air, water, and even in our food.

The environmental and social cost of this pollution is estimated at between $300 billion and $600 billion annually, a figure that underscores the urgency of adopting global solutions.

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE

This World Environment Day comes at a decisive moment: just two months before negotiations continue on the UN-led binding international treaty on plastic pollution. The global campaign invites us to reject, reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink the use of plastic, and promote real solutions inspired by nature.

This year’s slogan, “No Plastic Pollution”, calls for collective action from governments, companies, organizations and citizens to adopt sustainable practices that reduce the use of unnecessary plastics and move towards a more responsible and environmentally friendly consumption model.

More than 150 countries participate every year in the celebrations of World Environment Day, organizing activities, campaigns, workshops and actions both face-to-face and digital. Since its creation, this event has established itself as one of the most influential environmental dissemination platforms in the world.

This edition reinforces the idea that the solution to plastic pollution is within reach if the commitment of all parties is added: governments, the private sector, academia, social organizations and individuals.