World Environment Day: Celebrating How Far We’ve Come
Published: June 5, 2025 Updated: October 1, 2024
World Environment Day first came about in 1972 during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm, Sweden. Like Earth Day, this event highlights environmental issues and challenges people to continue to put our planet first. Believe it or not, the first “big” celebration, took place not in 1972 but in 1974 with the theme, "Only One Earth" – sounds like a Michael Jackson song, we know...but since then, it has become a global event with participation from over 143 countries each year!
As we celebrate World Environment Day, we’re highlighting some key milestones in environmental protection since the holiday began!
1. The Montreal Protocol (1987): an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer. It essentially “phases out the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances” – yay!
2. The Kyoto Protocol (1997): is the first global treaty designed to set legal targets regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions – which we know contributes to climate change.
3. The Paris Agreement (2016): “Piggybacking” off the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement is a legally binding agreement on climate change. World leaders have stressed the “need to limit global warming to 1.5°C by the end of this century”.
4. The Clean Air Act (1970): In the United States, the Clean Air Act has helped to reduce air pollution - setting standards for air quality and regulating emissions from industries and vehicles.
5. The Endangered Species Act (1973): This U.S. law has been critical in protecting threatened and endangered species and their habitats, contributing to the recovery of various species.
Even though we've made some progress, our planet still faces environmental challenges. But World Environment Day reminds us how powerful collective action can be and why sustainable practices are so important. From the Montreal Protocol to the Paris Agreement, we've made significant strides in protecting our planet. Let’s keep building on these successes and tackle the ongoing challenges together - ensuring a sustainable environment for everyone!
