WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CELEBRATION

UAES

Today is World Environment Day (WED), a day set aside by the United Nations Organization (UNO) to celebrate the environment and reflect on critical issues affecting it. Our university, with its focus on agriculture and the environment, joins the world in addressing the challenges faced by the natural environment.

In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly established this annual observance, and in 1973, the world celebrated the first World Environment Day with the theme "Only One Earth." This year's celebration is remarkable, marking 50 years of reflecting on environmental issues.

Recent Activities at UAES

On Friday, June 2, 2023, I flagged off a road campaign commemorating WED. Our staff and students visited areas with high human populations, including Mgbirichi, Obinze, and Owerri, delivering a clear message on the importance of protecting the environment.

Themes Through the Years

Between 2010 and 2022, World Environment Day themes have highlighted pressing environmental issues:

• 2010: "Many Species: One Planet, One Future"
• 2011: "Forests: Nature at Your Service"
• 2012: "The Green Economy"
• 2013: "Think. Eat. Save"
• 2014: "International Year of Small Islands Developing States"
• 2015: "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care"
• 2016: "Go Wild for Life"
• 2017: "Connecting Nature to People"
• 2018: "Beat Plastic Pollution"
• 2019: "Beat Air Pollution"
• 2020: "Time for Nature"
• 2021: "Ecosystem Restoration"
• 2022: "Only One Earth"

2023 Theme: "Solutions to Plastic Pollution"

This year, the theme addresses plastic pollution, a menace estimated to produce over 430 million tonnes of plastics annually, half of which is single-use. Approximately 19-23 million tonnes end up in water bodies each year. Plastic pollution disrupts ecosystems, affects livelihoods, food production, and security, and poses significant health risks, including cancer and hormonal disruptions.

Call to Action

We encourage everyone to:

1. Avoid using single-use plastics.
2. Recycle plastics to reduce environmental dumping.
3. Carry reusable water bottles.
4. Support food companies and restaurants that use paper packaging.
5. Use trash bins in homes, offices, and vehicles for better waste management.
6. Advocate for legal frameworks against plastic use.
7. Support research into alternative packaging materials.

UAES Initiatives

In the past months, we have undertaken:

• An aggressive fruit-bearing tree planting project as part of a green revolution.
• Encouraging staff to donate trees to sustain our environment.
• Maintaining a clean, green environment free from plastic waste.

These efforts demonstrate our commitment to raising awareness about environmental pollution—whether air, water, or plastic—and preserving the natural environment through absolute and concerted efforts.

Let us rise together and take action against plastic pollution.

Knowledge, Excellence, and Innovation