The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, is recognizing today, Monday, June 5, as the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day.
The theme of World Environment Day 2023 is ‘Solutions to Plastic Pollution’, a call for global action to end plastic pollution. Each year, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste flows into the world’s oceans; this volume is expected to triple by 2040. More than 800 marine and coastal species are affected by this pollution through ingestion, entanglement, and other dangers.
Based on this theme, the Provincial Government is highlighting a record for recycling with residents returning close to 210 million beverage containers to local green depots between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. This surpasses last year’s record by 2.8 million containers. Additionally, in 2020 Newfoundland and Labrador became the second province in Canada to implement a ban on the distribution of retail plastic bags. The ban was part of the province’s ongoing work with the Council on the Zero Plastic Waste Strategy as part of the Ocean Plastics Charter.
The Provincial Government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change is clear. In the most recent greenhouse gas emissions report available for Newfoundland and Labrador, the province’s emissions were 8.3 million tonnes in 2021 – a 13 per cent decrease from 2005 and the second lowest level of emissions since 1992. Work is also continuing to advance the Climate Change Action Plan, and through its energy efficiency and fuel switching programs, the province is anticipated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a further 615,000 tonnes by 2030. As well, our Renewable Energy Action Plan remains focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and a net-Zero Advisory Council has been established to continue to advance electrification and innovation initiatives to further transition into more renewable energy sources.
Conserving and protecting the province’s biodiversity and natural areas is important to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Last week, the Department of Environment and Climate Change announced plans to proceed with consultation on 10 proposed protected areas. The proposed protected areas are described in the Wilderness and Ecological Reserve Advisory Council’s Home for Nature report. The 10 sites include Ripple Pond, Halls Gullies, Cape Norman, Watts Point Extension, Facheaux Bay, Conne River North, Stony Lake, Rodney Pond, Cape St. George, and Indian Arm Brook.
Led by the United Nations and held annually, World Environment Day is the largest global event for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people around the world. It takes place during Canadian Environment Week, which runs from Sunday, June 4 to Saturday, June 10.
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“Today and every day, I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to do their part to protect the environment and support healthier greener communities. There is lots you can do! Recycle. Compost. Reduce the amount of plastic you use or produce. Conserve energy at home or at work. Walk or bike to work or school. Plant a tree. Pick up some litter in your neighbourhood. These are just some examples of small things we can all so every day. Through your own individual actions, no matter how small, you can make a difference.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
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Learn more
United Nations World Environment Day
Climate Change Action Plan Mid-Term Update
Electric Vehicle Rebate Program
Oil to Electric Rebate Program
Province Moves Forward on Protected Areas Consultation
Council on the Zero Plastic Waste Strategy
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