In celebration of World Environment Day, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will launch the second module of the U-Report Climate ActBot—a digital tool designed to empower young people to take climate action. 

This new module is designed to inspire young people to take concrete actions that reduce water, energy and waste consumption. Through a series of challenges, the chatbot guides users toward simple, environmentally friendly actions. 

Find out more 

While World Environment Day is still one sleep away, a bevy of events are taking place around the world today. Here’s a sampling of what’s on tap. 

• A forum in Jeju, Republic of Korea will see young environmental innovators share their ideas for tackling plastic pollution. 

• UNEP’s India office and the Delhi Technological University will hold a workshop on how institutions of higher learning can reduce plastic waste both on and off campus. 

• UNEP, at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, will host a roundtable discussion on slowing plastic pollution.  

Visit this page for a map of the more than 2,000 World Environment Day-related events taking place across the planet – and see if something is happening near you. 

To celebrate both World Environment Day and International Seaweed Day, environmental advocacy group Lonely Whale is hosting a special screening of its short documentary, Seaweed Stories, in New York City. Narrated by actor Forest Whitaker the film explores the wonders of seaweed, an often overlooked marine organism which may hold answers to some of humanity’s biggest challenges – including plastic pollution. 

Learn about the film here 

In celebration of World Environment Day, Qatar has launched a website that includes information on more than 2,500 local species of plants and animals. The database, which covers everything from toads to tree nuts, was designed with support from UNEP. The site was conceived to help researchers and policymakers safeguard Qatar’s biological diversity.  

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen urged people around the world to join the effort to end plastic pollution, which she said “impacts every person and every ecosystem on this planet. 

“That pollution creeps into our bodies through the food we eat, the water we drink and even the air we breathe,” she said in a video message. “So, on World Environment Day, let’s all recommit to beating plastic pollution, once and for all.” 

Chicago’s skyline just gained a bold new symbol for the planet. In celebration of World Environment Day, a 75-metre mural titled “Stand Tall” has been unveiled on the iconic Prudential Building. The mural was created by acclaimed Dutch artist Mr. Super A, and curated by the non-profit Street Art for Mankind. The monumental artwork represents a call for ecosystem restoration and environmental justice in cities worldwide. 

Read the press release 

Actor and filmmaker Dia Mirza released an Instagram video today calling for an end to plastic pollution. She urged countries to develop what’s known as a circular economy for plastic, where the material is reused and recycled, instead of being thrown away. 

“Nature wastes nothing. Everything is reused, repurposed or returned to the cycle of life,” said Mirza, a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador. “If we mirror the ways of nature, we can end the plastic pollution crisis.” 

See the video here