On 5 June we will celebrate the 50th planet Environment Day. This year's slogan is "Beat Plastic Pollution"

“Beat Plastic Pollution” is an appeal to the planet community to yet solve the environmental contamination crisis with plastics. The message is addressed to environments related to the full life cycle of plastics, postulating plastic retention in economical circulation and distant from the environment. Global Environment Day celebrations for 50 years coordinated by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). In Poland, the festival is celebrated as part of the #ForPlanety.pl run organized by UNEP/GRID-Warsaw.

The planet Environment Day, celebrated all year on 5 June, was set up by the UN to remind us of the deteriorating global environment. It was first celebrated in 1973, and over the last half century it has been an chance to rise topics in public space as diverse as water quality, desertification, climate protection, the creation of green cities or human- and environmental-friendly improvement patterns.

Why plastic?

The irony of destiny is that material so durable that it does not decay for centuries, is utilized for mass production of objects that stay in usage for only a moment, then become waste. In the planet we produce over 430 million tonnes of plastic Each year, of which 2/3 are for single use. Of this mass of additional plastics in economical circulation, little than 10% are recycled, and more than 20%, through mediocre management goes into the environment. It is estimated that all year we throw 23 million tons of plastic into lakes, rivers and seas.

Mircoplastik is everywhere

Plastic waste is already in all corners of the world, and in all surviving organisms, including our bodies. Microplastic – plastic particles up to 5 mm – enters food, water and air. any chemical additives in microplastics origin serious wellness effectsFor example, they disrupt hormonal management. There are confirmed compounds of these additives with obesity, diabetes, abnormal brain function, cancer. So it is time to take immediate action that will bring systemic changes in the areas of production, design, consumption or disposal of plastics, all the more so that most of the possible solutions is known and available immediately.

The future is circular

When plastic began to be produced on a massive scale in the 1950s, no concept was developed – and it inactive does not be – how to effectively dispose of plastics. The fact that plastic will have an environmental impact is besides not taken into account. The crisis caused by contamination has made us aware that, as humans, we are not surviving and acting in isolation from our planet. We are part of a large surviving strategy upon which we depend as biological beings, and upon which we are influenced as creative beings. The contamination crisis has taught us that plastics – although they are created by us, do not belong to the planet of nature. Now that we know the mechanisms and effects of bringing them into the environment, we will find ways to preserve the benefits of plastics, not harm the planet and ourselves.

Historical UN Resolution on Plastic

In March 2022, at the 5th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA5), associate States adopted the historical Resolution “End Plastic Pollution: Towards an global Legally Binding Instrument”. This paper calls on governments to make a fresh global law by 2024, which will end the problem of contamination by closing the circulation for the plastics economy.

Inger Andersen, Executive manager of the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, stated that the agreement would be the most crucial global multilateral environmental agreement since the 2015 Paris Agreement (https://www.unep.org/news-and-stores/story/what-you-need-know-about-plastic-pollution-solution).

"This is simply a position that confirms us that the game is worth a candle" – so Maria Andrzejewska, Director-General of UNEP/GRID-Warsaw summed up UNEP's analyses, among others, that already the transition to the circular economy can reduce the amount of plastics reaching the oceans by more than 80%, reduce primary plastic production by 55% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2040.

System change, benefits for all

Environmental contamination with plastics causes harm of between 300 and 600 billion USD per year. The transition to a circular economy by 2040 could bring savings exceeding USD 4.5 trillion. This would besides reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%, make additional jobs and improve the surviving conditions of millions of informal workers in developing countries. In short, moving distant from this unsustainable model will be better for the planet, climate, our wellness and the economy.

Action to close the life cycle of plastics must be taken by all those who have an impact on plastic circulation – governments, local governments, business representatives, as well as communities, educational institutions, spiritual unions and all individual. On the occasion of planet Environment Day, UNEP prepared this year #Beat Plastic contamination Guide” , which suggests ready-to-use solutions and ways of engaging in the activities of representatives of these communities.

It's worth reminding you here. waste hierarchy. which the European Union established in 2019. According to her, an extension of the life of plastic objects that keeps plastic in economical circulation, so distant from the environment, can be done by repairing, refurbishment and reuse. This strategy is better than recycling. Fixing and reuse are the best anti-pollution strategy for plastics, so let's remember: if we can't usage any stuff again, let's refuse to accept it! ( “If you can’t usage it – refuse!).

World Environment Day in Poland – join the action!

The global run of the planet Environment Day has an beginning in our country. On Screen Network and AMS media, animated spots with the Polish version will be aired. Additionally, communication about the presence of microplastic in rainfall will be launched, which will be synchronized with the changing weather in real time.

On the weekend preceding the festival there will be accompanying events in Warsaw. On Saturday, June 3, UNEP/GRID-Warsaw invites everyone to symbolic cleaning action in 2 locations on the Vistula River: on the beach “Poniatówka” close the Poniatowski Bridge and on the square at the Museum of Modern Art. Volunteers will collect abandoned plastic waste from 12:00 p.m. and the full action is organized with the support of the City of Warsaw and Planet Heroes platform. An interesting thing about contamination of our environment with plastic will be the conference “Solutions to Plastic Pollution” at the Zamoyski Palace in Warsaw.

We are facing 1 of the most crucial global events that unites people around the planet in holistic reflection on the state of our planet. The subject of the planet Environment Day is different each year, but the same goal – to realize the mistakes we make, to feel the seriousness of the situation, to motivate ourselves to act together and to do everything to keep our environment in the best condition.

speaks about this peculiar day Maria Andrzejewska.

World Environment Day 2023

Organizer: UNEP/GRID-Warsaw

Honorary patronage: president of Warsaw, Representation of the European Commission in Poland, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Ministry of Finance;

Media Patrons: AMS S.A., newspaper.pl, Rzeczpospolita, Screen Network, Now Environment;

UNEP/GRID-Warsaw

Organization established on September 17, 1991 by an agreement concluded between the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Polish Government represented by the Ministry liable for environmental protection. Since then, he has been implementing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) mission in Poland, working for sustainable development.

It functions as 1 of respective centres of the Global Resource Information Database (GRID) created by UNEP to strengthen effective management of environmental resources. It implements its activities in cooperation with national and abroad organisations and institutions. He is simply a partner of local, educational and corporate units implementing corporate social work policies. UNEP/GRID-Warsaw has NGO position and operates in the structure of the National Environmental Protection Foundation.