2nd Quarter 2018
Feature Article
Beyond 2030: Youth Taking Charge of the Environment
“The consequences of failing to sensibly and effectively manage the environment are profound and far-reaching”- Antonio Guterres (2017) World Environment Day is commemorated each year on June 5th. The theme for 2018, #BeatPlasticPollution, is a remind
Highlights from UN Entities
Statement by UNDP Administrator for World Environment Day 2018
On World Environment Day, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Administrator, Achim Steiner, reiterated the detrimental effects of single-use plastic, which to date has amassed an island of plastic 3 times the size of France, and is curren …
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Go Wild for Life!
On World Environment Day, Ms Irina Bokova, Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) delivered remarks about how wildlife is an integral piece of our environment and biosphere. She has stressed be …
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World Map of Events
For the week of World Environmental Day, UNEP put together a World Map of Events which youth can use to help identify global events and activities related to the day. One activity accessed from the map is about a campaign involving 600 students and sco …
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Why You Are Never Too Young to Make a Difference
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP’s) Young Champions of the Earth recipient (2016) Afroz Shah dedicates every weekend to wade through Mumbai’s shores to pick up debris including plastic waste along the coastline. Due to his environmental …
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Climate Change and Pollution in the Caribbean by Snaliah Mahal
When you live in a small island country in the Caribbean with a population less than the size of a village in some countries, you sometimes wonder what impact you can have in the world. However, the size of our countries should not deter us from speaki …
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Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Key to Grenada’s Sustainability by Kerricia Hobson
In Grenada, youth and fishermen from two local communities play a critical role in the restoration of coral reefs. These ‘Community Coral Gardeners’ form part of an innovative ecosystem-based adaptation strategy that was designed and tested to determin …
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SIDS and Climate Change by Jamilla Sealy
The Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are one group of countries acutely vulnerable to climate change issues. SIDS are often characterized by limited resources. The islands typically lack sufficient land, food, water and fuel and are pred …
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Social Impacts of Environmental Degradation by Adrian Watson
Jamaica has, like much of the rest of the Caribbean, struggled with homelessness, youth unemployment, climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. One may question what homelessness and youth unemployment have to do with environmental issues. Consi …
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Resiliency in Puerto Rico after hurricanes Irma and Maria by Dariana Mattei-Ramos
Hurricane Maria was a devastating climatic event in the Caribbean region that affected the food and agriculture sector of many small islands. In Puerto Rico, the local government estimated that 85 per cent of agriculture was lost. Prior to hurricanes I …
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Beating Plastic Pollution with a Plan – My Experience in Barbados by Sade Deane
Efforts to ban plastic are a positive step initiated by many actors, though for the complete omission of plastics, we must first understand how plastic is integrated within several domains of our lives. There are many jobs linked to the plastic industr …
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Single Use Plastics by Katrina Khan-Roberts
I live in a Small Island Developing State (SID), vulnerable to contemporary global changes and challenges. This is intermingled with mismanagement of natural resources and processes. This ranges from the demand for raw materials to poor environmental p …
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Beating Plastic Pollution in Agriculture: Towards Innovative Recycling by Jhannel Tomlinson
Agriculture represents a critical share of the economies of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), specifically island nations like Jamaica where the sector contributes 7.9 per cent of national GDP (World Bank, 2018). With most agricultural chemicals a …
Read more »Publications
Frontiers 2017: Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern
The Frontiers 2017 report presents six emerging issues of environmental concern with global implications. The report highlights emerging challenges for decision makers from government, business and civil society and provides them with the knowledge and options to act quickly. Download the report here.
Towards a Pollution-Free Planet
UNEP’s Report, Towards a pollution-free planet, describes the pollution challenge, explores what is already being done to address pollution, and proposes 50 focused and actionable interventions to address pollution in all its forms. The report is a call to action towards a pollution-free planet. Download the report here.
Opportunities for Youth
11th Eco-generation Environmental Essay Competition
UNEP in partnership with Samsung Engineering will launch ‘The 11thEco-generation Environmental Essay Competition,’ inviting youth all over the world to raise awareness on the theme of the World Environment Day – Beat Plastic Pollution. Deadline for Submission is 2 September 2018. Find out more information here.