World Environment Day 2026: Experts raise the as climate disasters intensify globally

World Environment Day 2026: Experts raise the as climate disasters intensify globally

From the global stage in Baku, Azerbaijan, to climate-focused events in Lagos and Edo State, stakeholders stressed that the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat but a present-day emergency affecting economies, public health, food systems and national security.

The global commemoration came against the backdrop of rising temperatures, worsening floods, droughts, biodiversity loss and increasing concerns that the world is drifting further away from achieving the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

In his message to mark the day, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the warning signs of climate change are now visible everywhere.

“The past eleven years have been the hottest on record. The world is heading for a temporary overshoot above 1.5 degrees,” Guterres said.

He called for immediate and coordinated global action, including rapid emissions reduction, accelerated transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, methane reduction, protection of forests and oceans, and the fulfilment of climate finance commitments to developing countries.

“Our task is to make that overshoot as small, as short and as safe as possible, and rapidly bring temperatures back down.

This year’s World Environment Day, commemorated on Friday, June 5, was hosted by Azerbaijan under the campaign theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future”, with the rallying call “Now for Climate.”

Speaking during the official commemoration in Baku, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Rashad Ismayilov, said no country is immune from the consequences of climate change.

“The science is clear: every fraction of a degree of warming costs lives, livelihoods and ecosystems,” he said.

Ismayilov highlighted his country’s commitment to climate action, including plans to nearly double renewable energy capacity by 2030 and implement a climate action plan aligned with the 1.5-degree target.

The Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Inger Andersen, also described climate change as one of the defining challenges of the century.

“The planet has, for years, been sending signals that its limits are approaching,” she said.

Andersen stressed that wealthy nations, major polluters, grassroots activists and ordinary citizens all have a role to play in preventing further environmental degradation.

More than 2,000 climate events worldwide

Across the globe, governments, businesses, schools, civil society organisations and communities organised over 2,000 events to commemorate World Environment Day.

The initiative seeks to promote sustainable cooling solutions, urban greening, improved infrastructure and public awareness to address one of the world’s fastest-growing climate threats: extreme heat.

UNEP also used the occasion to launch a policy brief titled Cheaper. Cleaner. Unstoppable, highlighting how clean technologies such as solar energy, electric mobility and sustainable cooling systems are becoming increasingly affordable and scalable.

The agency further launched the world’s first Climate Dance Challenge, encouraging young people across social media platforms to raise awareness about climate change through creative engagement.

Lagos responds to growing urban heat challenge

In Nigeria, one of the most significant World Environment Day events took place in Lagos, where state officials unveiled ambitious plans to combat rising temperatures and promote environmental sustainability.

Speaking during a celebration at Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park in Ikeja, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olalekan Rotimi-Akodu, announced a N2.5m tree-planting prize aimed at encouraging residents to embrace environmental stewardship.

The initiative, tagged “Me and My Tree,” will provide free seedlings to participants, who will nurture and maintain them for one year.

The owner of the healthiest and best-maintained tree will receive a cash prize of N2.5m.

The Lagos State Government also announced plans to plant 500 trees across the state as part of activities marking World Environment Day. Gov. Babajide Sanwoolu planting a tree at the Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park Ikeja Photo: Lagos State Ministry of Environment

According to Rotimi-Akodu, the initiative aligns with Lagos’ participation in UNEP’s 50 Cities at 50°C programme.

“This year’s celebration is particularly important because Lagos is among the cities identified as being vulnerable to extreme heat and rising temperatures,” he said.

He warned that rapid urbanisation, population growth and climate change were creating enormous environmental pressures.

“Extreme heat affects every aspect of urban life. It impacts public health, labour productivity, energy demand, air quality and overall quality of life,” Rotimi-Akodu noted.

The official disclosed that over seven million trees had been planted across Lagos since 2009 through the efforts of government agencies, schools, businesses and community groups.

Lagos temperatures rising despite interventions

Despite ongoing environmental efforts, climate experts say temperatures in Lagos continue to rise.

Assistant Chief Meteorologist at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Benson Levi, revealed that climate data covering the period between 1991 and 2025 showed a steady increase in minimum temperatures across Lagos.

“The minimum temperature we are recording in Lagos is on the rise. It has not declined over the years,” he said.

Levi attributed the trend to rapid urbanisation, loss of wetlands, population growth and increasing emissions from vehicles and generators.

Levi urged residents to complement government efforts by embracing public transportation, reducing carbon-intensive activities and participating in tree-planting initiatives.

The Global Chief Heat Officer for UNEP, UN-Habitat and the Atlantic Council’s Climate Resilience Centre, Dr Eleni Myrivili, also warned that extreme heat is already shaping lives and economies around the world.

“Extreme heat is no longer a future scare. For some cities, it might be 50°C and for others, it might be lower. Whatever it is, we must prepare for it,” she said.

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