World Environment Day 2023 is the biggest international day for the environment. It is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973 This year it is being hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, with support from the Netherlands,with the theme #BeatPlasticPollution to refocus attention on solutions to plastic pollution.
This important day reminds us for taking necessary measures for tackling plastic pollution which has become the biggest pollution problem on the globe.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the annual celebration, which will once again focus on the plastic pollution crisis. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, it is estimated that humans produce more than 430 million tonnes of plastic every year. It further says that 46% of plastic waste is landfilled, while 22% is mismanaged and becomes litter.
The problem with plastic is that unlike other materials it does not biodegrade, as a result, it suffocates marine life, damages soil, poisons groundwater, and causes serious health consequences.
Keeping in view the seriousness of the issue, IUCN Pakistan has organized numerous sessions on awareness raising on plastic pollution particularly amongst the coastal communities on the hazards of plastic pollution on the coastal marine life and ultimately on the livelihoods of the fishermen communities.
Globally IUCN is addressing the triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change and making a difference through science, policy, and projects which provide holistic solutions and resources to restore and revitalise our planet and our ocean.
Thank you,
Mahmood Akhtar Cheema
Country Representative
IUCN Pakistan
www.iucn.org/pakistan
