O World environment day, celebrated in June 5th, was instituted by United Nations (UN), and its main objective draw attention from all spheres of the population for environmental problems and the importance of preservation From natural resources, which until then were considered by many to be inexhaustible.
See too: Sustainability – balance between supplying human needs and environmental preservation
Origin of World Environment Day
In 1972, during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, in Stockholm, the United Nations (UN) established the World environment day, which started to be celebrated all over June 5th. This date, which was chosen to coincide with the date of this conference, has as its main objective draw the attention of all spheres of the population to environmental problems and the importance of preservation From natural resources, which until then were considered by many to be inexhaustible.
At this Conference, which became known as Stockholm Conference, a change began in the way of seeing and dealing with environmental issues around the world, in addition to establishing principles to guide environmental policy across the planet. Despite the great progress that the Conference represented, we cannot say, however, that all the problems were solved from then on.
Read too: Environmental conferences - meetings of leaders from different countries with environmental agendas
Importance of World Environment Day
Currently there is great concern about the environment and the negative impacts of human action on it. The constant destruction of habitat and the pollution of large areas, for example, are some of the points that exert the greatest influence on the survival of several species.
In view of the accentuated growth of environmental problems, many points deserve to be reviewed both by government officials and by the population so that the impacts are reduced. If nothing is done, overconsumption of resources and constant loss of biodiversity could considerably change the way we live today, even compromising our survival.
Among the main problems affecting the environment, we can highlight the inadequate disposal of waste, the lack of selective collection and projects for recycling, exaggerated consumption of natural resources, deforestation, inclusion of exotic species, use of fossil fuels, water waste and soil depletion. These problems and others could be avoided if the governments and the population were made aware of the importance of the correct and moderate use of our natural resources.
Due to the importance of awareness and the dimension of the impact generated by man, the World environment day is a date that deserves a lot of attention on the world calendar. However, it is not enough just to plant a tree or sort the garbage that day, it is necessary that they be done high-impact campaigns that show the need for immediate changes in our lifestyle habits daily.
Although many believe that change must happen on a global scale and that only one person cannot change the world, it is essential that everyone does their part. and that society as a whole demands compliance with environmental laws. We must all adopt a posture of environmental responsibility, as this is the only way we will be able to change the current situation.
“The protection and improvement of the human environment is a fundamental issue that affects the well-being of peoples and the economic development of the entire world, an urgent desire of peoples around the world and a duty of all governments.”
(Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment - 1972)
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/datas-comemorativas/dia-mundial-do-meio-ambiente-ecologia.htm
