Car exhaust. Factory smoke. Wildfire haze. Chances are, no matter where on Earth you live, you’re exposed to some form of air pollution almost every day. Air pollution remains a widespread and critical public health concern, responsible for an estimated 8.1 million premature deaths in 2021. The recent International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies emphasized solutions, focusing on the theme "Racing for Air," which highlights the urgent need to combat this global emergency. Sports associations are increasingly supporting clean air initiatives. Steven Stone, Deputy Director of UNEP, stated that just as athletes need clean air to thrive, so does everyone else, as it supports healthy individuals, resilient communities, and a healthier planet.
UNEP
There are over across the globe, but many are undergoing dramatic changes. Climate change, pollution, and excessive water use are causing lakes to shrink, overflow, or even . According to Dianna Kopansky of the UN Environment Programme (), some of the world’s most iconic lakes have deteriorated significantly in recent decades. She warns that reversing this trend is essential, as countless people depend on lakes for their survival. In honor of the first World Lake Day, here’s a closer look at the biggest threats to the world’s lakes – and what can be done about them.
The global textile sector is massive, but so is its environmental impact. The current "take, make, and dispose" model needs a revolution. InTex, a programme by the and funded by the European Commission and Denmark, is working to transform the industry into a sustainable, circular model through better data. By shifting to circular business models, and reducing carbon footprints across Africa and Asia, it has the potential to generate $700 billion by 2030. Find out more at .
Fifty years after Jaws, UN Ocean Patron Lewis Pugh is swimming 96km around Martha’s Vineyard to shift perceptions and highlight the real threat sharks face, mass killing by humans, not the other way around.
From AI to ecosystems, intelligence surrounds us but solving plastic pollution requires action, not just innovation, as we observe .
“I love the river because I was born here. I want to take care of it even in small ways,” says Bakri, a 43-year-old river ranger volunteer in Depok City, Indonesia. He owns a small store along the riverbank, and his home borders Depok and Bogor, an area supported by the Ciliwung River, which flows over 100 kilometers to the Java Sea and serves over 3.8 million people. The aims to strengthen local governance for sustainable management of the Ciliwung River Basin, enhancing community engagement, especially among women and vulnerable groups. Financed by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the , the project focuses on reducing pollution and adapting to climate change in six countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Jordanian designer Batoul Al-Rashdan transforms food waste into biodegradable fashion, challenging fashion’s wasteful practices on International Day of Zero Waste, and promoting sustainability and innovation.
in Gilgit-Baltistan transplants ice to shaded valleys, creating glaciers that sustainably store and release water, combating climate change.
The Mesoamerican Reef, spanning 1,000 km across four countries, is under threat from climate change and pollution, prompting initiatives like , which supports local businesses and conservation efforts to preserve this vital ecosystem.
With a looming planetary crisis, experts stress the need for more women in science. discusses the importance of gender equality in environmental solutions.
The revival of Chile’s Cahuil Lagoon showcases sustainable conservation’s success, as wetlands globally decline by 85% since 1700s, threatening ecosystems due to climate change and urbanization.
To curb nitrous oxide emissions, we need to reduce synthetic fertilizer use, adopt more sustainable farming practices, and invest in better nitrogen management technologies.
Saint Kitts and Nevis launches drought forecasting system to help farmers adapt to climate change and ensure food security.
Thawing , accelerated by climate change, could release dormant, deadly microbes and pathogens, posing a growing threat to both human health and the environment.
In this episode from UNEP's "", we dive into questions related to how the media covers climate adaptation. What makes a climate story go viral? Why are stories so important for making sense of the climate crisis? How can the media convey the urgency without breeding despair? Lis and Marcus sit down with The New York Times’ adaptation reporter Christopher Flavelle to explore these questions. Plus, the filmmaker and explorer Malaika Vaz shares what it’s like to capture victims of the climate crisis and tell their story to a global audience.