Beneath the picturesque turquoise waters of Trinidad and Tobago, plastic pollution is wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems.

The fourth annual International Day of Clean Air for blue skies will be held on 7 September 2023 under the theme Together for Clean Air, focusing on the need for strong partnerships, increased investment and shared responsibility to overcome air pollution.

Celebrations for World Environment Day 2023 kicked off in host-country Cote d’Ivoire, as millions of people prepare for similar activities across the world. Venues across the capital city, Abidjan – from its historic lagoon to its first modern art museum - shone the spotlight on this year’s theme #Beat Plastic Pollution.

From the remote Galápagos Islands to the humid depths of the Amazon, governments are cutting back on plastic, citizens are cleaning beaches, and innovators are seeking alternative products as part of a region-wide movement to turn the tide on plastic pollution.

More than 150 countries are expected to participate in this year’s World Environment Day on 5 June, while millions are likely to engage through in-person and online activities.

Hosted by Côte d’Ivoire and supported by the Netherlands, this year’s theme focuses on solutions to plastic pollution.

Travellers from all corners of the world are attracted to the wonders of coral reefs and their colourful biodiversity. With tourists reaching even the most remote reef locations, they can be a valuable means of collecting data and information on coral reef ecosystems for the ongoing United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).

This week sees the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), INC-2, take place in Paris, where countries will discuss an

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental issues facing the planet. Humanity produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic every year - two-thirds of which are short-lived products which soon become waste. This has devastating consequences for wildlife, ecosystems, human health and the global economy.

When the Sustainable Development Goals, humanity’s blueprint for a better future, were launched in 2015, there was already growing alarm at the state of the planet’s freshwater resources.

Walk into one of Chile’s neighbourhood convenience stores, and you will see refill machines emblazoned with the name “Algramo”. Customers bring reusable containers – each fitted with a unique RFID tag – to refill daily essentials such as shampoo, washing-up liquid and detergent. They can also order refills to their door and pay via a phone app.