Important Environment Days

Important Environment Days

Important Day	Date	Brief Description
World Wetland Day	02nd February	World Wetland Day is celebrated to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet. This day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
World Wildlife Day	03rd March	World Wildlife Day is celebrated every year to cherish the planet’s wildlife and biodiversity. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. United Nations noted, “Though World Wildlife Day is an annual celebration, wildlife conservation is an issue that needs attention and action every day.
International Day of Action for Rivers	14th March	International Day of Action for Rivers is observed to sensitize people about the importance of rivers. It aims to bring people across borders, together to discuss issues pertaining to river management, river pollution, river conservation etc at a global level.
Global Recycling Day	18th March	Global Recycling Day is observed to create awareness among the masses about the rapid pace at which our natural resources are being used. The day also promotes the concept and practice of recycling. Its aim is to recognize the people, places and activities that showcase the importance of recycling in preserving natural resources. Recycling has helped in reducing carbon emissions by over 700 million tonnes every year.
International Day of Forests	21st March	The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. It educates about the Forest sustainable management and their use of resources which are key to combating climate change, and to contributing towards the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations. Forests play a crucial role in poverty alleviation and in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
World Water Day	22nd March	World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, focuses on the importance of freshwater. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
World Meteorological Day	23rd March	Every 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization commemorates the coming into force of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization on 23 March 1950. It showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world. The themes chosen for World Meteorological Day reflect topical weather, climate or water-related issues.
International Mine Awareness Day	04th April	On 8 December 2005, the General Assembly declared that 4 April of each year shall be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. It called for continued efforts by States, with the assistance of the United Nations and relevant organizations, to foster the establishment and development of national mine-action capacities in countries where mines and explosive remnants of war constitute a serious threat to the safety, health and lives of the civilian population, or an impediment to social and economic development at the national and local levels.
Earth Day	22nd April	Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. This Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and create global, national and local policy changes. It recognizes the harm humans are capable of causing while showing the massive amounts of support across the globe for protecting the Earth and the increasing urgency to fight for a clean environment, as the ravages of climate change become more and more apparent every day.
Coal Miners Day	04th May	Every year, Coal Miners Day is observed on May 4 for the toughest professionals and the miners working in coal fields. This day is observed as an appreciation for the workers who sacrificed their lives, honour their accomplishments, and remember the tragedies that these hardworking individuals experience. So on this day, several organizations and communities raise funds to inform organizations in coal mining areas.
International Day for Biological Diversity	22nd May	The Global Report demonstrated the responsibility of human activities in the loss of biodiversity, which amounted to 75% for terrestrial ecosystems. The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
World Environment Day	05th June	World Environment Day is observed on June 5 every year. The purpose of World Environment Day is to spread awareness about the threat to the environment due to rising pollution levels and climate change. The first World Environment Day was observed in 1974, giving a global platform for inspiring positive change in the environment.
World Oceans Day	08th June	World Ocean Day is an international day that takes place annually on 8 June. The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada's International Centre for Ocean Development and the Ocean Institute of Canada at the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. World Oceans Day reminds every one of the major role the oceans have in everyday life. They are the lungs of our Planet and a major source of food and medicine and a critical part of the biosphere. The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world's oceans.
World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought	17th June	Desertification and Drought Day was officially declared by the UN General Assembly as “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought" (The resolution A/RES/49/115). The objectives of Desertification and Drought Day are: (a) To promote public awareness of the issue (b) To let people know that desertification and drought can be effectively tackled, that solutions are possible, and that key tools to this aim lay in strengthened community participation and cooperation at all levels. (c) To strengthen implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa.
The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem (or World Mangrove Day)	26th July	This day is celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem” and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses. The day was adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015.
World Nature Conservation Day	28th July	The World Nature Conservation Day is observed annually on July 28. The occasion aims to create awareness about the need to preserve the environment and natural resources in order to keep the world healthy. Saving plants and animals that are threatened with extinction is one of the primary focuses of the World Nature Conservation Day.
International Day of Clean Air for blue skies	07th September	Following the international community’s increasing interest in clean air, and emphasizing the need to make further efforts to improve air quality to protect human health, the United Nations General Assembly in the year 2020, designated 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer	16th September	In 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (resolution 49/114). The principal aim of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the ozone layer by taking measures to control total global production and consumption of substances that deplete it, with the ultimate objective of their elimination on the basis of developments in scientific knowledge and technological information.
Zero Emissions Day	21st September	Zero Emissions Day has evolved into a worldwide movement that aims to burn no fossil fuels for 24 hours that day. It all started in 2008 when founder Ken Wallace launched a website in Nova Scotia, Canada, calling for 21 September to be a day of zero fossil fuel consumption. The message was simple: "Give our planet one day off a year.
World Environmental Health Day	26th September	Since 2011, September 26 is observed annually as World Environmental Health Day across the globe. It was established that year by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH), a body of 44 member states, with a goal to raise awareness regarding the health of our environment. It is necessary for the world to understand that there is an integral connection between the environment, health and economy. Hence, it becomes important to invest in healthy and green recovery, close to all communities, with support from the environmental health workforce, and in collaboration with our organization.
World Rivers Day	Fourth Sunday of September	Every year on the fourth Sunday of September, World River Day is observed to raise awareness regarding water bodies and to promote their conservation. Today, rivers face a massive challenge posed due to climate change and global warming. As per World Rivers Day, “the day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of rivers and strives to increase public awareness and encourages the improved stewardship of rivers around the world.
Wildlife Week	02nd – 08th October	Wildlife Week is annually celebrated across India between 2nd to 8th October with an aim to protect and preserve the flora and fauna of India. The first Wildlife Week was observed in 1957. The Indian Board of Wildlife was constituted and the idea of Wildlife Week was conceptualised in 1952 to raise the awareness about the long term goals of protecting the wildlife of India. Initially, in 1955 the Wildlife day was celebrated which was later upgraded as the Wildlife Week in 1957.
International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction	13th October	The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is an opportunity to acknowledge the progress being made toward reducing disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was started in 1989, after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. Held every 13 October, the day celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.
National Pollution Prevention Day	2nd December	National Pollution Prevention Day is observed annually on December 2 in memory of the people who lost their lives in the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy. This day is observed to spread awareness on managing and controlling industrial disasters, preventing the pollution produced by industrial processes or human negligence.
Wildlife Conservation Day	4th December	Each year on December 4th, Wildlife Conservation Day seeks to spread awareness about preserving and protecting the natural world and its inhabitants. Additionally, the observance strives to put an end to wildlife crime and supporting the Endangered Species Act.
World Soil Day	5th December	World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources. An international day to celebrate soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002. Soil salinization and sodification are major soil degradation processes threatening ecosystem and are recognized as being among the most important problems at a global level for agricultural production, food security and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions.
International Mountain Day	11th December	International Mountain Day is celebrated annually to promote awareness for mountain communities around the globe. December 11th was officially declared as International Mountain Day by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 57/245 in December 2002. International Mountain Day creates awareness about the importance of mountains to life to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build alliances that will bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the world, according to the United Nations.
National Energy Conservation Day	14th December	National Energy Conservation Day is observed on December 14, every year. The day focuses on making people aware of global warming and climate change and promotes efforts towards saving energy resources. Conserving energy is an important way to reduce strain on the environment and bring down electricity and expanses. Energy conservation supports an eco-friendly lifestyle by providing energy, which saves money.