World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. The following year, under the slogan “Only One Earth,” the day was celebrated for the first time by 100 countries, with India taking a leading role. 

Since then, the occasion has become a global platform for raising awareness about pressing environmental challenges, including air pollution, plastic waste, illegal wildlife trade, rising sea levels, and food security.

Marking the eve of World Environment Day this year, Arpan Organization has called upon citizens to actively participate in environmental protection initiatives through a well-organized awareness walk and by adopting environmentally responsible lifestyles.

The organization emphasized that humanity is living in an era where climate change is increasingly reshaping lives and livelihoods across the globe. While the international community had aimed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, this threshold has already been exceeded in recent years, raising serious concerns among environmental experts.

To prevent further ecological degradation, scientists and policymakers have stressed the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030. Achieving this goal, however, will require thoughtful and active participation from every citizen.

According to the organization, the alarming rise in record-breaking temperatures and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events serve as urgent warnings from nature. In response, people must adopt more sustainable habits in their daily lives by reducing unnecessary consumption, rethinking transportation choices, and minimizing wasteful practices.

Arpan urged citizens to reduce the use of single-use plastics and switch to reusable alternatives such as cloth bags, refillable water bottles, and durable containers. The organization also encouraged public support for nature-based solutions by participating in local tree-planting drives and advocating for the protection and expansion of green spaces in their communities.

“Protecting the environment is not solely the responsibility of governments and institutions; it is a shared duty of every individual,” the organization stated, urging people to take meaningful action today to ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for generations to come.