The most unfortunate part of the process is that microplastics find their way into the food we eat, the water we drink and even the air we breathe.
World Environment Day is celebrated on 5 June 2023 to encourage worldwide awareness and actions to protect our environment, which is facing constant challenges. A United Nations day, the theme for this year is to focus on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution, as the world is being inundated by plastic products and their disastrous consequences are for all to see across the globe.
According to the UN, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year. The sad part of this process is- half of this production is designed to be used only once and hardly 10% is recycled. Estimatedly 19-23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and seas, which cause a myriad of problems to nature and people.
The most unfortunate part of the process is that microplastics find their way into the food we eat, the water we drink and even the air we breathe. In addition, there are several plastic products which contain hazardous additives and poisonous things which pose a threat to our health.
This underscores the importance of this World Environment Day in mobilizing actions from every corner of the world. Hence, different kinds of activities are being carried out to tackle the menace by spreading awareness among people, government agencies, companies and other stakeholders, as the crisis is taking a larger proportion with each passing day.
This years’ World Environment Day showcases how countries, businesses and individuals are learning to use this material more sustainably, offering hope. Now, most of the people have started experiencing its detrimental impacts on health, the economy and the environment, hence urgent action is required.
In India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Government of India envisages to celebrate the World Environment Day 2023 with a thrust on the Mission Life. The concept of Life aims to promote sustainable living by encouraging individuals to make changes in their lifestyles and emphasizes responsible and conscious use of resources to safeguard and conserve the environment.
To generate widespread awareness and advocacy for Life across India, a month-long mass mobilization campaign on Mission Life was also carried out. Following the ‘whole of government’ and ‘whole of society’ approach, the ministry has mobilized central ministries and departments, state governments, institutions and private organizations to spread the message of Mission Life. The ongoing mass mobilization campaign aims to amplify pan-India advocacy and awareness about Life.
In India, there are so many functions being organized across the country by different private and government agencies to raise awareness among the people about the environment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attends functions to give people a clarion call that protecting the environment is a must.
