World Environment Day 2022 observed on 5 June

Highlights:

• The World Environment Day 2022 was observed on June 5. 
• It is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• The World Environment Day is celebrated raise awareness on degrading environmental conditions as well as to encourage people worldwide to take positive environmental actions in order to help in creating a better future.

• It focuses on living sustainably in harmony with nature.
• The United Nations Conference on Human Environment or the Stockholm conference was held in 1972. 
• It was the first world conference with environment as its major agenda. 
• It declared “right to live in a healthy environment” as “basic human right”. 
• With this, the idea of World Environment Day was formalized. 
• This conference also led to the creation of United Nations Environment Programme.
• In the last century, progress of mankind led to a massive increase in exploitation of natural resources. Environmental issues like climate change, marine pollution, and depletion of flora and fauna have only increased with passing decade. 
• Thus, World Environment Day has become a global platform for people to participate in several campaigns to spread awareness on environmental protection. 
• This day is celebrated under a specific theme and slogan that addresses the major environmental concern of the time. Year 2022 is more significant because it marks 50 years since 1972 Stockholm conference.
• The World Environment Day is hosted by a different country each year. For year 2022, Sweden is the host country.

• It noted that UNEP was established by Maurice Strong, following the June 1972 United Nations Conference on Human Environment. 
• It is responsible for coordinating responses to environmental issues. Maurice Strong was its first director.