World Environment Day

{{Short description|UN awareness effort to protect the environment}}

{{Infobox holiday

| holiday_name = World Environment Day

| type = International

| image = Ecologia.jpg

| official_name = UN World Environment Day

| nickname = Eco Day, Environment Day, WED (world environment day)

| significance = Environmental issues awareness

| duration = 1 day

| date = 5 June

| scheduling = same day each year

| firsttime = {{start date and age|df=yes|5 June 1972}}

| observances = Environment Protection

}}

File: Indian Navy - World Environment Day - 2016 (1).jpg

World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated annually on 5 June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is supported by many non-governmental organizations, businesses, government entities, and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment.{{Cite web |url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/global-actions-world-environment-day-underscore-urgent-need-protect |title=Global actions on World Environment Day underscore urgent need to protect the planet |date=June 5, 2022 |publisher=United Nations |access-date=December 16, 2022}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.charities.org/news/world-environment-day-2021 |title=World Environment Day 2021 |date=May 28, 2021 |publisher=America's Charities |access-date=December 16, 2022}}

First held in 1974, it has been a platform for raising awareness on environmental issues as marine pollution, overpopulation, global warming, sustainable development and wildlife crime.{{Cite web |title=Telephone Conference for World Environment Day - Part 1 |url=https://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/asset/2685/2685566 |date=Jun 5, 1973 |first1= Jomo |last1=Kenyatta |first2=Kurt |last2=Waldheim |first3=Maurice F. |last3=Strong |first4=Olof |last4=Palme |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=United Nations UN Audiovisual Library}} World Environment Day is a global platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries annually, incl. participation from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand and the United States.{{cn|date=December 2023}} Every year, the program has provided a theme and forum for businesses, non government organizations, communities, politicians and stars to advocate environmental causes.{{Cite web|title=World Environment Day|url=https://www.un.org/en/observances/environment-day|access-date=3 June 2020|website=United Nations|archive-date=5 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605092940/https://www.un.org/en/observances/environment-day|url-status=live}}

History

World Environment Day was established in 1972 by the United Nations at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment (5–16 June 1972), that had resulted from discussions on the integration of human interactions and the environment. One year later, in 1973, the first WED was held with the theme "Only One Earth".{{Cite news|last=Hill|first=Gladwin|date=1973-06-04|title=Environment Day to Mark First Year of World Effort|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/04/archives/environment-day-to-mark-first-year-of-world-effort-fund-is-adjunct.html|access-date=2022-06-07|issn=0362-4331}}

Host cities

World Environment Day celebrations have been (and will be) hosted in the following cities:[https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/about/world-environment-day-driving-five-decades-environmental-action "World Environment Day: driving five decades of environmental action"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608102209/https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/about/world-environment-day-driving-five-decades-environmental-action |date=8 June 2019 }}, worldenvironmentday.global, no date; has most theme, some host country and a few host city identifications. Retrieved 17 August 2019.

Year ! Theme ! Host city
1972 \|Stockholm Conference on Human Environment \|Stockholm, United Nations
1973 \| \|Geneva, Switzerland{{Cite news \|date=1973-06-04 \|title=Environment Day to Mark First Year of World Effort (Published 1973) \|work=The New York Times\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/04/archives/environment-day-to-mark-first-year-of-world-effort-fund-is-adjunct.html \|access-date=2022-06-07 \|last1=Hill \|first1=Gladwin}}
1974	Only one Earth during Expo '74{{Cite web \|title=Proclamation 4296—World Environment Day, 1974 {{!}} The American Presidency Project \|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-4296-world-environment-day-1974 \|access-date=2022-06-07 \|website=presidency.ucsb.edu}}	Spokane, United States
1975	Human Settlements	Dhaka, Bangladesh
1976	Water: Vital Resource for Life	Ontario, Canada
1977	Ozone Layer Environmental Concern; Lands Loss and Soil Degradation	Sylhet, Bangladesh
1978	Development Without Destruction	Sylhet, Bangladesh
1979	Only One Future for Our Children – Development Without Destruction	Sylhet, Bangladesh
1980	A New Challenge for the New Decade: Development Without Destruction	Sylhet, Bangladesh
1981	Ground Water; Toxic Chemicals in Human Food Chains	Sylhet, Bangladesh
1982	Ten Years After Stockholm (Renewal of Environmental Concerns)	Dhaka, Bangladesh
1983	Managing and Disposing Hazardous Waste: Acid Rain and Energy	Sylhet, Bangladesh
1984	Desertification	Rajshahi, Bangladesh
1985	Youth: Population and the Environment	Islamabad, Pakistan
1986	A Tree for Peace	Ontario, Canada
1987	Environment and Shelter: More Than A Roof	Nairobi, Kenya
1988	When People Put the Environment First, Development Will Last	Bangkok, Thailand
1989	Global Warming; Global Warning	Brussels, Belgium
1990	Children and the Environment	Mexico City, Mexico
1991	Climate Change. Need for Global Partnership	Stockholm, Sweden
1992	Only One Earth, Care and Share	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1993	Poverty and the Environment – Breaking the Vicious Circle	Beijing, China
1994	One Earth One Family	London, United Kingdom
1995	We the Peoples: United for the Global Environment	Pretoria, South Africa
1996	Our Earth, Our Habitat, Our Home	Istanbul, Turkey
1997	For Life on Earth	Seoul, South Korea
1998	For Life on Earth – Save Our Seas	Moscow, Russia
1999	Our Earth – Our Future – Just Save It!	Tokyo, Japan
2000	The Environment Millennium – Time to Act	Adelaide, Australia
2001	Connect with the World Wide Web of Life	Turin, Italy and Havana, Cuba
2002	Give Earth a Chance	Shenzhen, China
2003	Water – Two Billion People are Dying for It!	Beirut, Lebanon
2004	Wanted! Seas and Oceans – Dead or Alive?	Barcelona, Spain
2005	Green Cities – Plant for the Planet!	San Francisco, United States
2006	Deserts and Desertification – Don't Desert Drylands!	Algiers, Algeria
2007	Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?	London, United Kingdom
2008	Kick The Habit – Towards A Low Carbon Economy	Wellington, New Zealand
2009	Your Planet Needs You – Unite to Combat Climate Change	Mexico City, Mexico
2010	Many Species. One Planet. One Future	Rangpur, Bangladesh
2011	Forests: Nature at your Service	Delhi, India
2012	Green Economy: Does it include you?	Brasília, Brazil
2013	Think.Eat.Save. Reduce Your Foodprint	Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
2014	Raise your voice, not the sea level	Bridgetown, Barbados
2015	Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.	Rome, Italy
2016	Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife trade	Luanda, Angola
2017	Connecting People to Nature – in the city and on the land, from the poles to the equator	Ottawa, Canada
2018	Beat Plastic Pollution{{Cite news\|last=Nelliyat\|first=Prakash\|date=21 June 2018\|title=Beating plastic pollution\|work=The Hindu\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/beating-plastic-pollution/article24213220.ece\|access-date=4 June 2020\|issn=0971-751X\|archive-date=4 June 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604092719/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/beating-plastic-pollution/article24213220.ece\|url-status=live}}	New Delhi, India
2019	Beat Air Pollution{{Cite web\|date=5 June 2019\|title=World Environment Day: Beat air pollution\|url=https://wmo.int/media/news/world-environment-day-beat-air-pollution\|access-date=4 June 2020\|website=World Meteorological Organization}}	China
2020 \|Time for Nature{{Cite web\|date=3 June 2020\|title=World Environment Day 2020: Theme, History, Quotes, Celebration\|url=https://news.jagatgururampalji.org/world-environment-day-2020-history-theme-quotes/\|access-date=4 June 2020\|website=S A NEWS\|archive-date=5 June 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605092947/https://news.jagatgururampalji.org/world-environment-day-2020-history-theme-quotes/\|url-status=live}} \|Colombia
2021 \|Ecosystem restoration{{Cite web\|date=3 June 2020\|title=World Environment Day 2021: Press Release\|url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/pakistan-host-world-environment-day-2021\|access-date=11 May 2021\|website=UNEP NEWS}} \|Pakistan
2022 \|[https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/sweden-host-world-environment-day-2022 Only One Earth] \|Sweden
2023 \|[https://www.unep.org Solutions to Plastic Pollution] \|Ivory Coast
2024 \|[https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/about/theme-host Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience]{{Cite news\|title=World Environment Day 2024: accelerating land restoration, drought resilience & desertification progress\|work=UN Environment Programme\|url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/statements/world-environment-day-2024-accelerating-land-restoration-drought}} \|Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2025 \|Ending plastic pollution{{Cite web\|title=Republic of Korea to host World Environment Day 2025 with a focus on ending plastic pollution\|date=21 September 2023\|work=UN Environment Programme \|url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/republic-korea-host-world-environment-day-2025-focus-ending-plastic}} \|South Korea
2026 \|tbd \|Azerbaijan{{Cite web \|date=2024-06-27 \|title=Republic of Azerbaijan to host World Environment Day 2026 \|url=http://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/republic-azerbaijan-host-world-environment-day-2026 \|access-date=2024-07-01 \|website=UN Environment}}

Annual themes and major initiatives and accomplishments

For almost five decades, World Environment Day has been raising awareness, supporting action, and driving changes for the environment. Here is a timeline of key accomplishments in WEDs' history:

=2005=

File:SFWed2005Maddruid.jpg

The theme for the 2005 World Environment Day was "Green Cities" and the slogan was "Plant for the Planet!".[http://www.unep.org/wed/2005/en lish/About_WED_2005/ World Environment Day 2005 Official Site, 2005, "About World Environment Day 2005"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519050728/http://www.unep.org/wed/2005/english/About_WED_2005/ |date=19 May 2009 }}, accessed 28 May 2009

=2006=

The topic for WED 2006 was Deserts and Desertification and the slogan was "Don't desert drylands".{{Cite web|date=13 February 2006|title=UN World Environment Day 2006, in Algiers, to focus on Desertification|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2006/02/168982-un-world-environment-day-2006-algiers-focus-desertification|access-date=4 June 2020|website=UN News|archive-date=4 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604044951/https://news.un.org/en/story/2006/02/168982-un-world-environment-day-2006-algiers-focus-desertification|url-status=live}}

The slogan emphasised the importance of protecting drylands. The main international celebrations of the World Environment Day 2006 were held in Algeria.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

=2007=

The topic for World Environment Day for 2007 was "Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?" During International Polar Year, WED 2007 focused on the effects that climate change is having on polar ecosystems and communities, on other ice- and snow-covered areas of the world, and the resulting global impacts.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

The main international celebrations of the WED 2007 were held in the city of Tromsø, Norway, a city north of the Arctic Circle.[http://www.wed.npolar.no/world-environment-day-2007/view?set_language=en Norwegian Polar Institute, World Environment Day 2007–information in English] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070601181022/http://www.wed.npolar.no/world-environment-day-2007/view?set_language=en |date=1 June 2007 }} [http://thor.npolar.no:8080/wed and Norwegian]

Egypt issued a postage stamp for the 2007 World Environment Day.{{cite web| title=Ministry of State for Environment Affairs (MSEA) celebrations of the World Environment Day 2008| website=sis.gov.eg| date=5 June 2008| url=https://www.sis.gov.eg/newVR/environment/2m.htm| access-date=28 August 2020| archive-date=5 September 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905035320/http://www.sis.gov.eg/newVR/environment/2m.htm| url-status=live}}

=2008=

The host for World Environment Day 2008 was New Zealand, with the main international celebrations scheduled for Wellington. The slogan for 2008 was "CO₂, Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy." New Zealand was one of the first countries to pledge to achieve carbon-neutrality, and will also focus on forest management as a tool for reducing greenhouse gases.[http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=519&ArticleID=5677&l=en UNEP Press Release, 1 October 2007, "Kick the Habit – World Environment Day 2008 to be Hosted by New Zealand with Focus on Fostering Low-Carbon Economies"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113205036/http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=519&ArticleID=5677&l=en |date=13 November 2007 }}, accessed 10 November 2007

The Chicago Botanic Garden served as the North American host{{Cite web |url=http://www.world-environmentday.com/2015/05/world-environment-day-2008.html |title=world environment day 2008 host countries |access-date=22 May 2015 |archive-date=11 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111051237/http://www.world-environmentday.com/2015/05/world-environment-day-2008.html |url-status=live }} for World Environment Day on 5 June 2008.

=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". It was hosted in Mexico.{{cite web | url=http://www.unep.org/wed/2012/WEDThatWas/2009/ | title=WED That Was – 2009 | access-date=14 August 2013 | archive-date=10 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310140447/http://www.unep.org/wed/2012/WEDThatWas/2009/ | url-status=live }}

=2010=

"Many Species. One Planet. One Future", was the theme of 2010.{{Cite web |date=2010 |title=Many Species - One Planet - One Future: Conserving Biodiversity – World Environment Day 2010, San Francisco |url=https://thebaumfoundation.org/environment/world-environment-day |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=The Baum Foundation}}

It celebrated the diversity of life on Earth as part of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity. It was hosted in Rwanda. Thousands of activities were organized worldwide, with beach clean-ups, concerts, exhibits, film festivals, community events and much more.{{Cite web |date=2010-05-26 |title=World Environment Day 2010 |url=http://www.unep.org/wed/2010/english/media/kwitaizina.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529163224/http://unep.org/wed/2010/english/media/kwitaizina.asp |archive-date=29 May 2010 |access-date=31 May 2010 |website=United Nations Environment Programme}} Each continent (except Antarctica) had a "regional host city", the U.N. chose Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the host for all North.{{Cite journal |last=Rosenthal |first=Lissa |date=2010-03-22 |title=The New Emerald City |url=https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/the-new-emerald-city/ |url-status=live |journal=Pittsburgh Magazine |publisher=WiesnerMedia, LLC |publication-date=April 2010 |volume=41 |issue=4 |issn=0194-8431 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405040527/http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pittsburgh-Magazine/April-2010/Meet-Some-Cool-Green-People/ |archive-date=2012-04-05 |access-date=2024-01-18}}

=2011=

The theme for 2011 was 'Forests{{snd}}Nature At Your Service'. Thousands of activities were organized worldwide, with beach clean-ups, concerts, exhibits, film festivals, community events, tree plantings{{Cite web |date=2017-08-07 |title=Club news |url=http://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/club-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817165021/https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/club-news |archive-date=2019-08-17 |access-date=2019-08-17 |website=UNEP}} and much more. It was hosted by India.

=2012=

The theme for the 2012 World Environment Day was Green Economy.{{cite web |author= |date=31 May 2012 |title=World Environment Day 2012: Let's pledge to make earth a better place |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/the-good-earth/World-Environment-Day-2012-Lets-pledge-to-make-earth-a-better-place/articleshow/13684726.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609084038/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-31/the-good-earth/31920494_1_world-environment-day-united-nations-environment-programme-unep |archive-date=9 June 2013 |access-date=4 June 2013 |website=The Times of India}}

The theme aimed to invite people to examine their activities and lifestyle and see how the concept of a "Green Economy" fits into it. The host country for the year's celebrations was Brazil.

=2013=

The 2013 theme for World Environment Day was "Think.Eat.Save".{{cite web |date=4 June 2013 |title='Think.Eat.Save' World Environment Day 5 June |url=http://www.unep.org/wed/theme/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604195040/http://www.unep.org/wed/theme/ |archive-date=4 June 2013 |access-date=4 June 2013 |website=United Nations Environment Programme |publisher= |department=}}

The campaign addressed the huge annual wastage and losses in food, which, if conserved, would release a large quantity of food as well as reduce the overall carbon footprint. The campaign aimed to bring about awareness in countries with lifestyles resulting in food wastage. It also aimed to empower people to make informed choices about the food they eat so as to reduce the overall ecological impact due to the worldwide production of food. The host country for the year's celebrations was Mongolia.{{Cite web |date=2013-02-22 |title=Mongolia to host UN World Environment Day 2013 {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2013/02/432612 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210419163608/https://news.un.org/en/story/2013/02/432612 |archive-date=2021-04-19 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=United Nations News}}

File:Umweltfestival 2011 vor dem Brandenburger Tor.jpg|Stage in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Environmental Festival 2011

File:2011. Городской экологический праздник в Донецке 057.jpg|World Environment Day 2011 in Donetsk, Ukraine

File:Wed on bikes.jpg|US Consul CG Yee, along with the Mayor of Thessaloniki Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, the Prefect of Thessaloniki Panagiotis Psomiadis, and many others participating in World Environment Day on the waterfront bike path

File:Trees planting in Konso.jpg|Trees planting during the World Environment Day 2012 in Konso, Ethiopia

File:Environment Rally.jpg|People in Melbourne celebrate World Environment Day 2011 with a rally to fund renewable energy. {{Cite web |last=Englart |first=John |title=Conserve our beautiful earth - Melbourne World Environment Day 2011 |url=https://openverse.org/image/bf129b75-7fff-40ec-a336-2bd7a7a5a8d7 |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=openverse.org}}

= 2014 =

The Theme of the 2014 WED was International Year of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS). By choosing this Theme the UN General Assembly aimed to highlight the development Challenges and successes of the SIDS. In 2014, the World Environment Day focused on global warming and its impact on ocean levels.{{Cite web |title=World Environment Day 2014|publisher=Department of Environmental Affairs |url=https://www.environment.gov.za/event/international/2014world_environmentday |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222054448/https://www.environment.gov.za/event/international/2014world_environmentday |archive-date=22 December 2017 |access-date=19 December 2017 |website=environment.gov.za}} The Slogan of the WED 2014 is "Raise your voice not the sea level", as Barbados hosted the global celebrations of the 42nd edition of the World Environment Day.{{Cite news |author= |date=5 June 2014 |title=World Environment Day 2014: Theme, History, Host Country and Observances |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/world-environment-day-2014-theme-history-host-country-observances-1451379 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052212/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/world-environment-day-2014-theme-history-host-country-observances-1451379 |archive-date=22 December 2017 |access-date=19 December 2017 |work=International Business Times UK}}{{Cite web |title=World Environment Day 2014 |url=http://www.icimod.org/?q=13684 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051810/http://www.icimod.org/?q=13684 |archive-date=22 December 2017 |access-date=19 December 2017 |website=International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development}} The UN Environment Programme named actor Ian Somerhalder as the official Goodwill ambassador of the WED 2014.{{Cite news |last=Badore |first=Margaret |date=2014-06-05 |title=Ian Somerhalder named Goodwill Ambassador for World Environment Day 2014 |url=https://www.treehugger.com/culture/ian-somerhalder-named-goodwill-ambassador-world-environment-day-2014.html |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052140/https://www.treehugger.com/culture/ian-somerhalder-named-goodwill-ambassador-world-environment-day-2014.html |archive-date=22 December 2017 |access-date=19 December 2017 |work=TreeHugger}}

= 2015 =

The Slogan of the 2015 edition of the World Environment Day was "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care". The slogan was picked through a voting process on social media.{{Cite news|url=http://sdg.iisd.org/events/world-environment-day-2015/|title=Event: World Environment Day 2015|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053323/http://sdg.iisd.org/events/world-environment-day-2015/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://europa.eu/capacity4dev/unep/blog/vote-your-world-environment-day-2015-slogan|title=Vote for your World Environment Day 2015 slogan|website=europa.eu|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-date=28 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828152445/https://europa.eu/capacity4dev/unep/discussions/vote-your-world-environment-day-2015-slogan|url-status=live}} In Saudi Arabia, 15 women recycled 2000 plastic bags to crochet a mural in support of the WED 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://web.unep.org/ourplanet/september-2015/unep-work/world-environment-day-2015|title=World Environment Day 2015 :: Our Planet|website=web.unep.org|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-date=23 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023013729/http://web.unep.org/ourplanet/september-2015/unep-work/world-environment-day-2015|url-status=dead}} In India, Narendra Modi planted a Kadamb sapling to celebrate the World Environment Day and raise awareness for Environment.{{Cite news|url=https://www.narendramodi.in/pm-plants-kadamb-sapling-on-world-environment-day-136145|title=PM plants "Kadamb" sapling on World Environment Day|work=www.narendramodi.in|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052511/https://www.narendramodi.in/pm-plants-kadamb-sapling-on-world-environment-day-136145|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.microfinancemonitor.com/why-pm-modi-planted-kadamb-sapling-world-environment-day/33305|title=Why PM Modi planted 'Kadamb' sapling on World Environment Day?|date=5 June 2015|work=Microfinance Monitor|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051955/http://www.microfinancemonitor.com/why-pm-modi-planted-kadamb-sapling-world-environment-day/33305|url-status=live}} Italy is the host country of the 43rd edition of the WED. The celebrations took place as part of Milan Expo around the theme: Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life.{{Cite news|url=https://www.treehugger.com/culture/italy-hosts-official-world-environment-day-celebrations-expo-milano.html|title=Italy hosts the official World Environment Day celebrations at Expo Milano|work=TreeHugger|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051446/https://www.treehugger.com/culture/italy-hosts-official-world-environment-day-celebrations-expo-milano.html|url-status=live}}

= 2016 =

The 2016 WED was organized under the theme "Go wild for life". This edition of the WED aimed to reduce and prevent the illegal trade in wildlife.{{Cite news|url=http://sdg.iisd.org/events/world-environment-day-2016/|title=Event: World Environment Day 2016|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-date=30 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730000744/http://sdg.iisd.org/events/world-environment-day-2016/|url-status=live}} Angola was chosen as the host country of the 2016 WED during the COP21 in Paris.{{Cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201512141926.html|title=Angola to Host World Environment Day in 2016|date=14 December 2015|work=Angola Press Agency (Luanda)|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-date=19 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219174429/http://allafrica.com/stories/201512141926.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.climateactionprogramme.org/news/angola_to_host_world_environment_day_2016|title=Angola to host World Environment Day 2016|website=climateactionprogramme.org|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105250/http://www.climateactionprogramme.org/news/angola_to_host_world_environment_day_2016|url-status=live}}

=2017=

File:Activities for world environment day in Bhopal (8).jpg, India]]

The theme for 2017 was "Connecting People to Nature – in the city and on the land, from the poles to the equator". The host nation was Canada.{{Cite web |url=http://worldenvironmentday.global/host-country/canada-natural-heritage-heart-national-identit |title=2017 Host country named as Canada, UNEP, 31 Jan 2017 |access-date=8 February 2017 }}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

=2018=

The theme for 2018 was "Beat Plastic Pollution". The host nation was India.{{Cite web|url=https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/press-release/india-raises-curtain-historic-world-environment-day|title=India Raises Curtain on Historic World Environment Day|website=unenvironment.org|date=25 May 2018|access-date=17 August 2019|archive-date=17 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817165555/https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/press-release/india-raises-curtain-historic-world-environment-day|url-status=live}} By choosing this theme, it is hoped that people may strive to change their everyday lives to reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution. People should be free from the over-reliance on single-use or disposables, as they have severe environmental consequences. We should liberate our natural places, our wildlife and our own health from plastics.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/world-environment-day-2018-live-updates-host-nation-india-focuses-on-beat-plastic-pollution-theme-1862462|title=Host Nation India Focuses On 'Beat Plastic Pollution' Theme|work=NDTV.com|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-date=5 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605034329/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/world-environment-day-2018-live-updates-host-nation-india-focuses-on-beat-plastic-pollution-theme-1862462|url-status=live}} The Indian government pledged to eliminate all single use of plastic in India by 2022.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/india-aims-to-partner-with-un-to-promote-use-of-solar-energy/articleshow/64476669.cms|title=India aims to partner with UN to promote use of solar energy|date=6 June 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=6 June 2018|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135950/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/india-aims-to-partner-with-un-to-promote-use-of-solar-energy/articleshow/64476669.cms|url-status=live}}

=2019=

The theme for 2019 was "Beat Air Pollution". The host nation was China. This theme was chosen as air pollution causes about 7 million premature deaths annually.[https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/story/world-environment-day-how-world-came-together-beatairpollution "World Environment Day – How the world came together to #BeatAirPollution"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612143357/https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/story/world-environment-day-how-world-came-together-beatairpollution |date=12 June 2019 }}, www.worldenvironmentday.global, 7 June 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.

In Réunion Island, Miss Earth 2018 Nguyễn Phương Khánh from Vietnam delivered her speech during World Environment Day with the theme "How to fight global warming".{{Cite news |last=Hoi |first=Dao Van |date=10 June 2019 |title=Hoa hậu Phương Khánh được báo quốc tế ca tụng vì bài diễn văn tại "Ngày môi trường thế giới" |trans-title=Miss Phuong Khanh was praised by the international newspaper for her speech at "World Environment Day" |url=https://www.phapluatplus.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/hoa-hau-phuong-khanh-duoc-bao-quoc-te-ca-tung-vi-bai-dien-van-tai-ngay-moi-truong-the-gioi-d99321.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121175853/https://www.phapluatplus.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/hoa-hau-phuong-khanh-duoc-bao-quoc-te-ca-tung-vi-bai-dien-van-tai-ngay-moi-truong-the-gioi-d99321.html |archive-date=2021-01-21 |access-date=2024-01-18 |work=Pháp Luật Plus |language=Vietnamese}}

= 2020 =

The theme for 2020 was "Time for Nature", and was hosted in Colombia in partnership with Germany.{{Cite web|last=Environment|first=U. N.|title=World Environment Day|url=http://www.worldenvironmentday.global/node|access-date=4 June 2020|website=World Environment Day}}{{Dead link|date=August 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}

Colombia is one of the largest megadiverse countries in the world and holds close to 10% of the planet's biodiversity. Since it is part of the Amazon rainforest, Colombia ranks first in bird and orchid species diversity and second in plants, butterflies, freshwater fish, and amphibians.

= 2021 =

The theme for 2021 was "Ecosystem Restoration",{{Cite web|date=3 June 2020|title=World Environment Day 2021 Date, History, Theme, Significance, Quotes|url=https://news.jagatgururampalji.org/world-environment-day-history-theme-quotes/|access-date=5 June 2021|website=S A NEWS}} and was hosted by Pakistan. On this occasion UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration was also launched.{{Cite news|last=Team|first=BS Web|date=5 June 2021|title=World Environment Day 2021: Theme, ecosystem restoration, pics, and more|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/world-environment-day-2021-theme-images-importance-of-ecosystem-restoration-june-5-environment-crisis-121060500082_1.html|access-date=5 June 2021}}[https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/world-environment-day/#scroll-nav__2 2021 Theme: Ecosystem Restoration] Geneva Environment Network, 31 May 2021

= 2022 =

The theme for 2022 was "Only One Earth" and the event was hosted by Sweden.

= 2023 =

The theme for 2023 was "Solution to plastic pollution" and the event was hosted by Ivory Coast. It is a reminder that people's actions on plastic pollution matters. The steps governments and businesses are taking to tackle plastic pollution are the consequence of this action. It is time to accelerate this action and transition to a circular economy.[https://www.worldenvironmentday.global Solutions to Plastic Pollution]. worldenvironmentday.global

Celebrations

=1981 World Environment Day celebration=

On 5 June 1981, World Environment Day 1981 was celebrated.{{By whom|date=August 2024}}{{cn|date=September 2024}}

=2022 World Environment Day celebration=

On 5 June 2022, millions of people in multiple different countries across the whole world celebrated World Environment Day 2022 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cn|date=September 2024}}