World Environment Day facts for kids

Quick facts for kids World Environment Day
Official name	UN World Environment Day
Also called	Eco Day, Environment Day, WED (world environment day)
Type	International
Significance	Environmental issues awareness
Observances	Environment Protection
Date	5 June
Next time	5 June 2026 (2026-06-05)
First time	5 June 1972; 53 years ago (5 June 1972)

Celebrating World Environment Day in India.

World Environment Day, also known as WED, is a special day celebrated every year on June 5th. Its goal is to encourage people all over the world to learn about our planet and take action to protect it.

The United Nations (an organization of countries that work together for peace and cooperation) supports this day. It is a time for everyone, including governments, companies, and regular people, to focus on helping the environment.

First held in 1973, World Environment Day has become a huge global event. It helps raise awareness about important environmental problems like ocean pollution, global warming, and protecting endangered animals. Over 143 countries take part in this important day each year.

How Did It All Start?

World Environment Day was created in 1972 by the United Nations. This happened at a big meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, called the Conference on the Human Environment. At this conference, leaders from around the world discussed how people's actions affect the planet.

A year later, in 1973, the very first World Environment Day was celebrated. The theme was simple but powerful: "Only One Earth." This reminded everyone that we all share one planet and must take care of it.

A New Theme Every Year

Each year, World Environment Day has a different theme and a "host country" that leads the main celebrations. The theme helps focus everyone's attention on a specific environmental issue. Here are some of the themes from recent years.

2013: Think.Eat.Save

The theme for 2013 was "Think.Eat.Save." The goal was to make people think about food waste. A lot of food is thrown away every year, which is bad for the environment. The campaign encouraged people to be more mindful about the food they buy and eat. The host country was Mongolia.

2014: Raise Your Voice, Not the Sea Level

In 2014, the theme focused on small island nations and the danger of rising sea levels caused by global warming. The slogan, "Raise your voice, not the sea level," was a call to action to fight climate change. Barbados, a small island country, hosted the event.

2015: Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care

The 2015 slogan was "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care." It reminded us that with so many people on Earth, we need to use resources wisely. Italy hosted the celebrations this year.

2016: Go Wild for Life

The 2016 theme, "Go wild for life," was all about stopping the illegal trade of wildlife. This trade harms many animal species. Angola was the host country for this important theme.

2017: Connecting People to Nature

Activities for World Environment Day in Bhopal, India.

In 2017, the theme was "Connecting People to Nature." It encouraged everyone to get outside and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. Canada was the host nation.

2018: Beat Plastic Pollution

The theme for 2018 was "Beat Plastic Pollution." This was a call to reduce our use of single-use plastics, like straws and bags, which harm our oceans and wildlife. India, the host country, promised to ban all single-use plastics by 2022.

2019: Beat Air Pollution

In 2019, the focus was on "Beat Air Pollution," a serious problem that affects the health of millions of people. China hosted the events for this year.

2020: Time for Nature

The theme for 2020 was "Time for Nature." It was a reminder of how important biodiversity (the variety of life on Earth) is for our survival. Colombia, a country with an amazing amount of different plants and animals, was the host.

2021: Ecosystem Restoration

In 2021, the theme was "Ecosystem Restoration," which means helping to heal and repair our damaged planet. This could mean planting trees, cleaning up rivers, or rewilding areas. Pakistan hosted the event.

2022: Only One Earth

For its 50th anniversary, the 2022 theme was "Only One Earth," the same as the very first World Environment Day. It was a powerful reminder that we need to protect our planet for future generations. Sweden, where the first conference was held, was the host.

2023: Solutions to Plastic Pollution

The 2023 theme continued the fight against plastic with "Solutions to Plastic Pollution." It focused on how we can move towards a "circular economy," where we reuse and recycle materials instead of throwing them away. The Ivory Coast was the host country.

2024: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience

In 2024, the theme focused on healing our land. It highlighted the problems of desertification (where land becomes desert) and drought (long periods with no rain). The host country was Saudi Arabia.

Host Cities and Themes

Every year, a different city hosts the main events for World Environment Day. Here is a list of the hosts and themes from the last several years.

Images for kids

• 

  Banners for World Environment Day in San Francisco in 2005. The theme was "Green Cities".

• 

  A stage in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Germany for an environmental festival in 2011.

• 

  World Environment Day 2011 celebration in Donetsk, Ukraine.

• 

  People riding bikes to celebrate World Environment Day in Thessaloniki, Greece.

• 

  Planting trees during World Environment Day 2012 in Konso, Ethiopia.

• 

  People in Melbourne, Australia, at a rally for World Environment Day in 2011.

See also

In Spanish: Día Mundial del Medio Ambiente para niños

• Arbor Day
• Earth Day
• Index of environmental articles
• List of environmental dates
• United Nations Conference on the Human Environment