World Environment Day, which is celebrated annually on June 5th, serves as a poignant reminder of the critical state of our planet and the urgent need for collective action. The Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1973, and it has been celebrated every year since. This year’s theme is finding a solution to plastic pollution and is hosted in Côte d’Ivoire, located in West Africa.
With over 400 million tons of plastic produced every year worldwide and only half of which is designed to be used only once, World Environment Day will remind all of us that there needs to be a solution to climate change before it continues to harm human health and biodiversity and pollutes every ecosystem.
Climate change, undoubtedly one of the most pressing challenges of our time, is closely linked to World Environment Day. “Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, which can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity, or large volcanic eruptions” (UN). The day serves as a rallying call to combat climate change by raising awareness, promoting sustainable solutions, and encouraging proactive measures at all levels. The urgency to address climate change arises from its far-reaching impacts. Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to our ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
TryEngineering is dedicated to empowering educators to foster the next generation of technology innovators and engineers through STEM education. Explore the various resources offered through TryEngineering with themes in climate change such as pollution reduction, renewable sources of energy, and ecology. Check out the resources below and visit our website for the full list of lesson plans, career pathways, games, articles, STEM programs, and more!
According to the United Nations, plastics take hundreds of years to break down, and their improper disposal leads to the contamination of water bodies, soil degradation, and harm to marine life. By dedicating a day solely to the environment, World Environment Day emphasizes the urgency of tackling plastic pollution and the importance of adopting sustainable solutions to minimize its detrimental effects.
“IEEE recognizes this global crisis and is committed to helping combat and mitigate the effects of climate change through pragmatic and accessible technical solutions and providing engineers and technologists with a neutral space for discussion and action” (IEEE Climate Change). The global community of engineers and technologists within IEEE utilizes their expertise and knowledge to contribute to the development of solutions for numerous pressing climate change challenges.
Celebrate World Environment Day with TryEngineering!
World Environment Day fosters collaboration among nations, organizations, and individuals, encouraging knowledge sharing, innovative solutions, and joint efforts to mitigate climate change. Together, we can leverage our collective strength and expertise to make a meaningful impact.
Explore more TryEngineering Resources:
Lesson Plans:
- A Century of Plastics
- Classroom Paper Recycling
- Here Comes the Sun
- Irrigation Ideas
- Measuring the Wind
- Oil Spill Solutions
- Pipeline Challenge
- Planting with Precision
- Pollution Patrol
STEM Programs:
- TryEngineering Summer Institute
- Harvesting Ocean Thermal Energy & Build Your Own Seawater Fuel Cell
- IEEE Epoxy Solar Camp
- Short Video on Pollution with School Students
- STEM Workshop and Community Engagement in Kampung Bali Village, Tronoh, Perak Malaysia
- Sustainable Technology and Renewable Energy for Adaptive Management of Disasters (STREAM-D)
Student Guides:
Articles:
- Free Software Helps Students Understand the Molecules Behind Climate Change
- Girls Build Renewable Devices to Help Their Communities in Africa
- Here’s How to Reduce Pollution
- It’s Time to Save our Ecosystems!
- Let’s Celebrate Water!
- Want to Clean Up Our Planet? Take the Plastic-Free July Challenge!
- What is the Right Way to Recycle?
- What Would a Day be Like Without Water?
Learn about a career in Environmental Engineering!
Interested in pursuing a career in Environmental Engineering? TryEngineering provides career pathways to help prospective students understand various fields of engineering. Learn about career opportunities and explore our various resources on the TryEngineering website. You can search for accredited engineering programs, start a TryEngineering environmental lesson plans, and more. Here are a few career options related to climate change:
- Environmental Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
- Power and Nuclear Engineering
- Want to be an Environmental Engineer?