Quiz: World Environment Day 2025, Ending Plastic Pollution

World Environment Day (WED), celebrated annually on June 5, is the United Nations’ flagship initiative for global environmental awareness and action. Since its inception in 1973 and led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), WED has evolved into the world’s largest environmental outreach platform, mobilizing millions across 150+ countries. For environmental scholars, this day represents both a rallying cry and a catalyst for transformative change.

WED 2025: Host, Theme, and Urgency

This year, the Republic of Korea hosts World Environment Day under the critical theme: “Ending Plastic Pollution.” The campaign targets one of the planet’s most pervasive threats—plastic waste, which contaminates ecosystems from ocean trenches to mountain peaks. With over 400 million tonnes of plastic produced yearly (only 9% recycled), the urgency to act has never been greater.

Why Plastic Pollution?
Plastic degradation spans centuries, releasing microplastics into food chains and disrupting biodiversity. Crucially, this crisis intersects with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption): Calls for circular economies to replace single-use plastics.
SDG 13 (Climate Action): Plastic production emits 1.8 billion tonnes of GHG annually.
SDG 14 (Life Below Water): 11 million tonnes of plastic enter oceans each year, suffocating marine life.
SDG 15 (Life on Land): Microplastics contaminate soil, affecting agriculture and terrestrial species.

Host nation Korea exemplifies innovation, leveraging advanced recycling tech and policy frameworks like its “Plastic-Free 2050” roadmap. Explore their initiatives on the Official WED 2025 Campaign Website.