EU reaffirms commitment to safeguarding environment
The European Union (EU) today (5 June) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting nature, promoting biodiversity and safeguarding the environment.
The EU Embassy in Bangladesh made the remarks in a brief message marking the World Environment Day.
Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually on 5 June since 1973, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world.
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In 2025, it is hosted by the Republic of Korea.
Time is running out, and nature is in emergency mode.
To keep global warming below 1.5°C this century, we must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Without action, exposure to air pollution beyond safe guidelines will increase by 50 per cent within the decade and plastic waste flowing into aquatic ecosystems will nearly triple by 2040, according to the UN.
Globally, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems each year.
Over 800 marine and coastal species are affected by this pollution through ingestion, entanglement, and other dangers.
Microplastics in the seas now outnumber stars in our galaxy.
The annual social and environmental cost of plastic pollution ranges between US$300 billion and US$600 billion.
