The global WorldEnvironment Day celebrations were hosted by China in Hangzhou City on WednesdayJune 5th, 2019 with the theme Air Pollution.  The decision was jointly announced by thehead of the Chinese delegation, Zhao Yingmin, Vice Minister of Ecology andEnvironment, and Joyce Msuya, Acting Head of UN Environment; in Nairobi, Kenyaon 15th March 2019. 

China has been recognizedglobally for efforts in implementing strategies and technologies which willsignificantly reduce the carbon dioxide and methane emissions. These proactivesolutions to pollution have the potential to decrease global temperaturessubstantially, addressing current key global warming issues and concerns.  China has led by example in promotingsustainability, environmentally focused management and remediation in highimpact areas.  Recently a review reportof 20 Years of air pollution control in Beijing was released.

“China will be a great global host of 2019’s WorldEnvironment Day celebrations,” said Joyce Msuya, Acting Head of UN Environment. “The country has demonstrated tremendous leadership intackling air pollution domestically. It can now help spur the world to greateraction. Air pollution is a global emergency affecting everyone. China will nowbe leading the push and stimulating global action to save millions of lives.”

World Environment Day is a UNEnvironment-led global event which is celebrated annually on June 5th around the world. China hosted the event across multiple cities, with Hangzhou, in the province of Zhejiang hosting themain event. 

AntónioGuterres, UN Secretary General delivering message on World Environment DayWednesday June 5th, 2019

“WorldEnvironment Day highlights how much we all rely on nature and on our planet’shealth. The quality of the water we drink, the food we eat and the air webreathe -- all depend on protecting the natural world. But the environment isfacing unprecedented perils, caused by human activity. One million species areat risk of extinction. Oceans are under stress. Air pollution is claiming sevenmillion lives every year and damaging children’s development. Many airpollutants also cause global warming. And climate change is an existentialthreat. In my recent visit to the South Pacific I saw first-hand the severe andworsening impacts of the global climate emergency. There is no time to lose.This is the battle of our lives. We must win. And we can. Solutions exist. Taxpollution, not people. Stop subsidizing fossil fuels. Stop building new coalplants. People everywhere are demanding action. On World Environment Day, letus heed their call.” – António Guterres, UN Secretary General’s message onWorld Environment Day Wednesday June 5th, 2019.

FollowingWorld Environment Day, UNEP Tongji IESD will host the International StudentConference on Environment and Sustainability (ISCES) from 10th- 14th June 2019 which expects up to 200 international students from around the worldto be in attendance.  This year’s themesinclude Education for Sustainable Development, Eco-City, Environment andHealth; and Sustainable Consumption and Production.