Every year on the 5th of June, the world unites to commemorate World Environment Day and to reinforce the urgent global call to protect the planet.

This year, the day focused on addressing the escalating crisis of plastic pollution globally, as it poses significant threats to ecosystems, human health, and the global climate.

Research indicates that every year millions of tonnes of plastic garbage are dumped into water environments, threatening marine life.

While microplastics from landfills and sewage build up in soil, causing environmental damage and posing human health concerns.

The Director of Forestry at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Johnson Ndokosho, said, "Today is a day that the world is encouraged to look after the environment because if we do that, we look after ourselves. The focus today is that of fighting pollution because plastic pollution is affecting a lot of animal life, and microplastics also damage the environment, so we need to really fight plastic pollution."

India's High Commissioner to Namibia, Rahul Shrivastava, noted that sustainable environmental development is possible when nations work together.

"Our planet is one, but our efforts must be many because it can't be separate efforts, but it needs to be strong so we sustain the environment, so it's a collective initiative effort; everyone has to buy in."

As part of the day's commemoration, a tree was planted at the National Botanical Research Institute as a sign of commitment to environmental sustainability.

Local diamond company KGK Diamonds Namibia also committed itself to partnering with the Ministry of Environment on a tree-planting initiative as part of its corporate and social responsibility.