Earth Hour
Earth Hour brings the world together in a moment of unity to shine a spotlight on the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. The United Nations is joining the global effort to mark the Biggest Hour for Earth. On 23 March at 8:30 p.m. local time, join WWF, the UN, and other partners in switching off your lights and giving an hour for Earth, turning one hour into thousands and millions of hours of action for our planet.
World Meteorological Day
Climate change is causing more frequent and intense extreme weather events, resulting in widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people. The need for early warning systems is critical to protecting lives and livelihoods, especially to those on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Learn more about early warnings systems and why they are an essential part of adapting to climate change here.
World Water Day
From floods and rising sea levels to wildfires and droughts, climate change and water are deeply connected. The impacts of climate change are intensifying water scarcity, which can lead to social unrest and spark conflict. We must scale up action to enhance management of water resources, not only to combat the climate crisis, but to protect livelihoods and foster peace and security around the world. Learn more about how climate change is intensifying resource scarcity and impacting human security here.
International Day of Forests
Preserving and restoring forests is essential for achieving the world鈥檚 climate goals. Healthy forests act as carbon sinks absorbing millions of tons of carbon dioxide each year, which helps regulate the planet鈥檚 temperature. Forests are also critical ecosystems, providing habitats for over half of the world鈥檚 land-based species and livelihoods for over one billion people.Learn more about forests, land and climate change here.
International Women's Day
While the climate crisis affects everyone, women and girls are disproportionately affected, commonly facing higher risks and greater burdens. To ensure a just transition and a truly sustainable future, climate action must be informed by the current reality of gender inequality and prioritize the empowerment of women and girls.
Learn more about how climate change impacts women and girls and why gender equality is key to climate action here.
World Wildlife Day
Our health as a species depends on having healthy wildlife populations, healthy ecosystems and the biodiversity that allows for a healthy planet. Find out how protecting the world鈥檚 biodiversity is essential to combatting the climate crisis here.
World Seagrass Day
Rising temperatures increase the risk of irreversible loss of marine and coastal ecosystems, such as seagrasses, which play a vital role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Seagrasses not only provide crucial habitats for marine species, but they also serve as highly efficient carbon sinks, storing up to 18% of the world's oceanic carbon, and act as a protective buffer against floods and storms along coasts. Learn more about why the ocean is our best ally for climate solutions: /en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/ocean".
The sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6)
As the world鈥檚 top decision-making body on the environment, the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) aims to help restore harmony between humanity and nature. UNEA-6 focuses on how multilateralism can help tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
World Mountain Day
Healthy mountain ecosystems help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Mountain forests and grasslands cool local temperatures, increase water retention, store carbon from the atmosphere, and reduce the risks of erosion and landslides. But mountains are under threat from climate change. Rising temperatures also mean that mountain glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, affecting freshwater supplies downstream for millions of people.
Human Rights Day
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the landmark document that enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone everywhere is entitled to as a human being. Climate change poses a serious risk to several human rights, including the rights to life, water, food, and health. Under human rights law, States have an obligation to prevent the foreseeable adverse effects of climate change and protect those most affected by climate impacts.
World Soil Day
Soil provides vital services, such as oxygen, food and water, that are essential for life. Without healthier soils and more sustainable land management, we cannot tackle the climate crisis, produce enough food and adapt to a changing climate. Learn more about the relationship between climate and land here.
UN Climate Change Conference (COP28)
With global temperatures hitting record highs, and extreme weather events affecting people around the globe, this year鈥檚 UN climate change conference, COP28, is a pivotal opportunity to correct course and accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis. COP28 is where the world will take stock of progress on the Paris Agreement 鈥 the landmark climate treaty concluded in 2015 鈥 and chart a course of action to dramatically reduce emissions and protect lives and livelihoods.
World Sustainable Transport Day
Transport is vital for promoting connectivity, trade, economic growth and employment. Yet it is also implicated as a significant source of pollution, with the sector accounting for roughly 15 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions. The transport sector is, therefore, central to combatting climate change and achieving sustainable development. Learn more about making sustainable lifestyle choices when it comes to transport here.
Asia-Pacific Climate Week
Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2023 takes place in Johor Bahru, hosted by the government of Malaysia, and provides a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers to overcome and opportunities realized in the region. The 2023 regional climate weeks are being held to build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 and the conclusion of the first global stocktake.
World Tsunami Awareness Day
With climate change leading to more disasters and extreme weather events like tsunamis, the need for early warning systems is more crucial than ever. Yet, currently, only half of the countries worldwide have adequate multi-hazard early warning systems. Launched by the UN Secretary-General in 2022, the Early Warnings for All initiative is an effort to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by an early warning system by 2027.
Pre-COP28
The Pre-COP brings together ministers to prepare for COP28, discuss the key political aspects of the negotiations, find solutions to outstanding issues, and set the tone for the COP28 meeting.
Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week
Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week (LACCW) is the third of four Regional Climate Weeks held in 2023 to build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 and the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake. Hosted by the government of Panama in Panama City, LACCW 2023 provides a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers to overcome, and opportunities realized in the region.
World Food Day
Understanding the impact our food systems have on the planet is both an area for awareness and an important opportunity for mitigating climate change. Today, the global food system is responsible for about one third of greenhouse gas emissions and is the of methane and biodiversity loss. Learn more about how what we eat, and how that food is produced, affects the environment here.
World Migratory Bird Day
Under the theme, 鈥渨ater and its importance for migratory birds,鈥 World Migratory Bird Day 2023 calls attention to how the increasing human demand for water, pollution, and climate change, are having a direct impact on the availability of clean water and the conservation status of many migratory birds. Learn more about how climate change impacts the world鈥檚 water here.
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
Climate change is causing more frequent and extreme weather events, resulting in widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people. These impacts are often experienced most by those who have contributed the least to the climate crisis, which exacerbates existing inequalities. The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative aims to help break the cycle of disaster and growing inequality and to ensure everyone on earth is covered by early warnings in the next four years. Learn more about EW4All here.
