World Environment Day 2025

Each year, World Environment Day is celebrated on the 5th June and its aim is to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

World Environment Day 2025 calls for the collective action to end plastic pollution. So just how serious a problem are plastics? Learn about the scale of global plastic production and waste, and explore how tackling plastic pollution connects with restoring ecosystems, responding to climate change, and building more resilient communities. Distinguished Professor Stewart Lockie, Director of The Cairns Institute's presentation on Plastic Futures will address these at the next Inspiration on Tap Series in June 4 at the Salt House in Cairns.

TropWATER's Seagrass Ecology expert Dr Abbi Scott who works on seagrass and coral monitoring and restoration as well as seagrass herbivory research will share findings from their recent surveys. TropWATER's Senior Research Fellow Dr Katie Chartrand will present on Reef Connections: Local people, Shared Purpose. She will share how the Cairns-Port Douglas Reef Hub brings people together to protect the local reefs.

The Cairns Institute Researcher Dr Rana Dadpour says "I will speak about the often-overlooked role of emotion in shaping public support for reef interventions. My talk, Hope, Trust, and the Future of the Reef, draws on a multi-year study involving over 12,000 Australians to explore how emotions like hope, pride, worry, and caution influence how people respond to reef restoration and adaptation technologies. We often think of innovation as a technical challenge, but public trust and emotional connection are just as critical. Without them, even the most promising solutions can struggle to gain legitimacy."

She says this work highlights the importance of understanding emotional responses as not just background noise, but as active forces that shape climate action, perceptions of risk, and the long-term success of environmental initiatives.

"I look forward to sharing these insights at Inspiration on Tap, and to connect with the local community around the shared values and feelings that bind us all to the Reef."

This is a free event, however, seats are limited. Register yourself on https://bit.ly/WorldEnivronmentDay

Issued May 2025