The splash was so loud that environmental advocate Lewis Pugh thought someone had jumped off the bridge he was swimming under. But then Pugh, in the midst of a month-long swim down the United States’ Hudson River, saw what had joined him in the water: a bald eagle.
“This majestic creature spread its wings and lifted up right in front of us. I will never forget the sight of it,” says Pugh.
Anyone who happens to be walking by New York State’s Hudson River in the next two weeks may see a figure heading downstream wearing a white swimming cap emblazoned with the logo of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This is Lewis Pugh, an English-South African endurance swimmer who is aiming to navigate the 517km-long Hudson with mostly goggles, Speedos and that swimming cap.
Washington, D.C. 15 September 2021 - Mayors from along the Mississippi River gathered virtually this week as part of the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI) Annual Meeting.
Washington, D.C., 3 March 2021–The Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative was launched today at the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative’s ninth annual Capitol Meeting, where mayors representing over 100 communities along the river corridor are convenin
Nine out of 10 people globally breathe polluted air, causing about 7 million premature deaths every year. On 7 September 2020, the United Nations observed the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. This article is part of UNEP’s continuing coverage of air pollution and its impact globally.
Indoor and outdoor air pollution results in over 7 million deaths worldwide each year.
On 26 July 2019, 22-year-old Sam Bencheghib asked the crowd of friends, supporters and media gathered around him, to take two deep breaths as a reminder of the importance that the oceans have in giving life.
Florida in the United States of America recently declared a state of emergency as a red tide of toxic algae bloomed along its western coastline killing marine animals, disrupting tourism and causing respiratory problems.
Miranda Wang is Young Champion of the Earth for North America. The Young Champions of the Earth Prize is powered by Covestro.
Washington, D.C. 6 March 2019 – UN Environment has teamed up with the nonprofit REVERB to engage music fans to take action for the environment on tours across several countries this year. Harnessing the power of live music and working with artists committed to doing their part to tackle pressing environmental issues, the partnership will encourage individual actions at concerts and beyond.
