No time to waste

Why World Environment Day is a call everyone must heed

- By REY ROBES ILAGAN

Every year on June 5, a global movement takes shape, with millions of people from over 150 countries coming together to do one thing—protect the planet. World Environment Day, led by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), is more than just another date on the calendar marked for an international observance. It is a movement that calls on every individual not just to observe, but to actively do the planet good.

Since its founding in 1973, World Environment Day has become the world’s largest platform for environmental awareness and action. This year marks an urgent message. The theme, “Ending Global Plastic Pollution,” calls for a bold action plan to tackle one of the most visible and pervasive threats to our ecosystems in decades.

The year’s host nation, South Korea, is leading the charge, with Jeju Province—a lush volcanic island known for its natural beauty and environmental stewardship—serving as the symbolic ground zero for change. From coastal cleanups and policy dialogues to creative exhibitions and seminars, South Korea’s programs this year are designed to engage everyone—from corporations and government leaders to local communities and students.