Introduction

World Environment Day is the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) biggest annual event commemorated on 5 June, with an aim of galvanising positive environmental action. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1972, and was first celebrated in 1974 with a view to deepening environmental awareness and address concerns such as the depletion of the ozone layer, toxic chemicals, desertification and global warming.

The theme of World Environment Day 2022 is #OnlyOneEarth, highlighting the need to create transformative changes in our policies and choices to live sustainably in harmony with nature. This planet is our only home, and we must safeguard its finite resources.
 

South Africa's celebration

South Africa has adopted the entire month of June to heighten awareness of environmental issues through various pertinent activities. It is during the month of June that South Africa will also celebrate the World Oceans Day (WOD) under the theme Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean. This is the first hybrid celebration of the annual event, hosted in-person at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and broadcast live.

On 17 June, South Africa will also join global partners in recognising and celebrating the World Day to Combat Desertification. Drought, with a focus on early action to prevent disastrous outcomes, is the theme of the Desertification and Drought Day marked on 17 June 2022. Announcing the theme of 2022 Desertification and Drought Day “Rising up from drought together”, Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary, said: “Droughts have been part of human and natural systems, but what we are experiencing now is much worse, largely due to human activity. Recent droughts point at a precarious future for the world. Food and water shortages as well as wildfires caused by the severe drought have all intensified in recent years.”