On Thursday, June 5, the world celebrates the fifty-second World Environment Day, which in 2025 is dedicated to the fight against plastic pollution.
EcoPolitic has prepared interesting facts about this day and tips on how to celebrate it.
World Environment Day is one of the largest international events dedicated to environmental issues. It is not only a symbolic holiday, but also an annual global platform that mobilizes millions of people to protect the environment.
Every year, this day becomes an occasion for clean-up campaigns, tree planting, environmental education, scientific discussions, and the launch of initiatives that change environmental policy in different countries.
How World Environment Day came about
The holiday was launched in 1972 at the first major international conference on the environment – the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Stockholm. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) was also founded as part of this event.
Since 1973, June 5 has been officially celebrated as World Environment Day. The main goal is to encourage states, businesses, communities and individuals to take environmental responsibility, discuss global issues and find solutions.
The theme for 2025 is “Fighting plastic pollution”
Every year, World Environment Day is dedicated to a specific topic that is most relevant to humanity. In 2025, the focus is on the problem of plastic pollution. The hashtag is #BeatPlasticPoliution.
Plastic pollution penetrates every corner of the planet – even our bodies in the form of microplastics. World Environment Day 2025 calls for collective action to combat it.
This year's World Environment Day is celebrated exactly 2 months before countries reconvene to continue negotiations on a global treaty to end plastic pollution.
In 2025, South Korea will host World Environment Day.
Interesting facts about World Environment Day
- World Environment Day is celebrated annually in more than 150 countries around the world.
- In 1987, the tradition of choosing a host country for the holiday was established, which determines the theme and organizes the central events.
- Ukraine is actively involved in World Environment Day campaigns, including through initiatives to preserve the Carpathians and the Black Sea, clean up rivers, and fight illegal logging.
- In 2023, the official website of the holiday reported more than 36 thousand local events that took place around the world as part of World Environment Day.
- World Environment Day campaigns reach millions of people through social media – the hashtags #WorldEnvironmentDay, #BeatPlasticPollution and #GenerationRestoration become global trends every year.
How to join the celebration
Each of us can make a contribution to preserving the environment – regardless of age, profession, or place of residence. Here are some ways to get involved in World Environment Day:
- Plant a tree in your yard or join a community greening event.
- Organize or support a community cleanup initiative in your town or village.
- Sort household waste, refuse from single-use plastic, and switch to reusable alternatives.
- Share information about environmental problems and solutions on social media.
- Choose environmentally friendly ways to get around – on foot, by bicycle, by public transport.
- Reduce energy consumption: turn off unnecessary lights and use energy-saving appliances.
- Support ethical brands that adhere to the principles of sustainable development and ecological production.
Recently, EcoPolitic talked about a Kyiv-based company that produces shelter furniture, toys, and other household items from recycled plastic.
