World Environment Day

What Is World Environment Day?

Every June 5th is "Environment Day," known internationally as "World Environment Day." It commemorates the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which opened in Stockholm, Sweden, on June 5, 1972; the UN General Assembly designated the day in December of that year on a joint proposal by Japan and Senegal. In Japan, the Basic Environment Act of 1993 designates June 5th as "Environment Day." The day aims to deepen interest in and understanding of environmental conservation and to encourage people to take action.

1972: The World Takes Notice

The Stockholm Conference is regarded as the first major international conference to take up environmental issues as a challenge for the entire international community.

• "Only One Earth": The conference slogan was "Only One Earth." Amid growing pollution and environmental destruction around the world, 113 countries took part and adopted the Declaration on the Human Environment.
• The founding of UNEP: Following the conference, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was established in 1972. Each year, UNEP sets a theme and a host country for World Environment Day.

Environment Day and Environment Month in Japan

Article 10 of Japan's Basic Environment Act designates June 5th as Environment Day and calls on national and local governments to carry out activities suited to its purpose. The Ministry of the Environment also designates the whole of June as "Environment Month," with environmental events held nationwide. In 1972, Japan too was grappling with serious pollution problems such as Minamata disease.

Interesting Facts About the Environment

• Plastic in the deep sea: Surveys by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) have found fragments of plastic bags in the Mariana Trench at depths of more than 10,000 meters.
• The origin of "eco": The word comes from the Greek "oikos," meaning "household" or "home." Both "ecology" and "economy" share this root.
• Virtual water: This is the amount of water that would be needed to produce imported food domestically. According to an estimate by Japan's Ministry of the Environment, producing 1kg of beef requires about 20,000 liters of water.
• Species at risk: A 2019 international assessment report (IPBES) warned that around one million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction.
• Carbon dioxide levels: Atmospheric CO2 concentration has risen to about 1.5 times its pre-industrial level (about 280 ppm).

Tips for Spending Environment Day

• Carry your own bag and water bottle, and cut out one piece of single-use plastic.
• Rethink how you commute or shop -- try walking, cycling, or public transportation.
• Join a local cleanup or nature observation event.
• Look up Japan's Annual Report on the Environment or UNEP's theme for the year to learn about today's environmental issues.

Carrying "Only One Earth" into the Future

June 5th is a day to remember that, over half a century ago, the world gathered under the slogan "Only One Earth." Environmental problems can feel too big for one person to change, but the accumulation of everyday choices moves society. Today, why not choose one small step you can take?