World Environment Day is celebrated on 5 June. The date was established by the United Nations in 1972 with the main objective of making civil society aware of the importance of preserving natural resources in order to create a critical and active attitude towards the environmental problems that exist on the planet.

Each year, the United Nations presents a theme that serves as a starting point for the development of actions to celebrate World Environment Day in more than 100 countries, with a variety of activities planned for this theme. For 2018, the theme “End Plastic Pollution” was chosen, with the aim of inviting governments, the private sector, communities and individuals to reduce the production and excessive consumption of disposable plastic products, which are difficult and long to decompose, polluting the oceans, damaging marine life and affecting human health.

Over the last decade, humanity has produced more plastic than in the past century. Every year, between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed around the globe, and every minute 1 million plastic bottles are bought. Half of the plastic used by humans is for one-time use, and at least 8 million tons of plastic a year goes to the oceans – it’s as if the entire cargo of a plastic garbage truck is dumped every few minutes into the seas. This material currently accounts for 10% of all man-made waste.

Since it was established in 1972, World Environment Day has become a global platform for public awareness of environmental issues. In the United Nations assessment, the date is an opportunity for all to actively engage in the protection of nature.

In Maputo, the celebrations will take place in the Municipal Field of Zimpeto, with the presence of hundreds of children and some public figures. The aim is to make young people aware of the dangers of waste, especially plastic.

The broader scope of action is the responsibility of the National Environment Directorate / MITADER, the Municipal Council of Maputo and New Sigma Holding, Lda..