May 15 — International Climate Day: history and traditions of the holiday

The International Climate Day is celebrated annually in Russia and the world on May 15. This unofficial ecological holiday is designed to draw public attention to global climate change on our planet, as well as to remind of the need for joint action to solve this problem. In 2025, it falls on a Thursday. Read about the history and traditions of this date in the Izvestia article.

International Climate Day 2025: the history and significance of the holiday

The history of International Climate Day dates back to 1992, when the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Earth Summit, was held in Rio de Janeiro.

The summit was the largest of all international meetings on environmental issues. At the event, representatives of 180 states signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, based on previous declarations and protocols regulating the state of the ozone layer of our planet.

The Convention laid the foundation for an international strategy to protect the environment from anthropogenic impact, defining key principles and areas of cooperation. Subsequently, other significant agreements were signed aimed at stabilizing the climate on the planet and limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

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The next stage was the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, which consolidated the commitments of developed and transition economies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the period 2008-2012 relative to 1990 levels. Ten years later, in 2007, at a conference in Bali, the Governments of more than 190 countries adopted an international agreement on the need to reduce emissions.

For Russia, one of the largest participants in the global economy, the implementation of comprehensive environmental protection measures has become a priority. The key objectives of the state climate policy have become the adaptation of the economy to changes in nature and mitigation of the negative impact of human activity. Our country is actively working to reduce emissions and restore forests, and fundamental research is being conducted in the field of ecology and climate change.

How to celebrate International Climate Day: traditions of celebration

International Climate Day is an opportunity to recall the importance of the "climate problem" and the need to mobilize efforts to solve it. On May 15, various environmental actions and events dedicated to environmental protection are taking place in Russia and around the world.

On this day, environmental organizations abroad are trying to remind of the need for urgent action to mitigate the effects of climate change. Activists organize large-scale actions and flash mobs, trying to draw the attention of not only citizens, but also representatives of business and government agencies to the need to take effective measures.

Their main goal is to stimulate the development and implementation of environmental strategies at all levels, from optimizing production processes to implementing government programs to reduce emissions and transition to "green" technologies.

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Russian public organizations, environmental NGOs and volunteer movements hold educational events and lectures dedicated to this date. In a number of regions, environmental actions and clean-up days are organized, which include planting green spaces, cleaning territories and making a direct contribution to improving the environment.

There are also exhibitions and online events aimed at informing society about environmental issues, they remind that everyone can contribute to environmental protection, from reducing the use of personal cars and switching to energy-saving technologies to actively participating in landscaping and protecting natural areas.

Earth's climate: key issues

Global climate change is not something new in the history of the Earth. The data obtained by scientists from oceanic, glacial and lava deposits indicate the cyclical onset and retreat of glacial periods throughout the geological history of the planet.

However, the key difference between the current situation is the unprecedented high rate of climate change, which is of particular concern to scientists and requires immediate action to mitigate the consequences.

Phenomena such as global warming, increased ozone concentrations in the atmosphere, increased frequency of natural disasters and significant changes in weather conditions have a serious impact on public safety, food stability and the state of natural resources.

According to research data, the pace of climate change has accelerated rapidly over the past three and a half decades. The average temperature on the Earth's surface has increased by about 1.1 degrees, which has already significantly affected natural ecosystems and human activity. And in 2023, it became one of the record highs, which increased the anxiety of scientists and representatives of the international community.

As for our country, as in other countries located in the northern latitudes, Russia is experiencing a more rapid increase in temperature compared to global indicators. According to the report of the Russian Hydrometeorological Service, the average annual air temperature in various regions has increased by 1.5 degrees since 1990. This leads to changes in ecosystems, an increase in the number of natural disasters and extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods and wildfires.

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Climate change is also causing global ocean levels to rise by about 3.7 mm per year. In a hundred years, this figure can rise by more than 30 cm, which threatens coastal cities and island states, creating the risk of mass population migration.

Greenhouse gases, in particular carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, significantly affect the formation of the greenhouse effect. Humans emit about 50 billion tons of _CO2 annually, which causes significant imbalances in natural processes.

There are natural "sinks" of carbon — forests and oceans. The former absorb about 30% of _CO2 emissions, while the latter absorb up to 25%. However, due to tree felling and marine pollution, these natural mechanisms are decreasing their effectiveness.

Global warming also causes changes in precipitation distribution, which negatively affects water resources, agriculture, and ecosystems in general. Some regions are experiencing increased precipitation, while others are experiencing droughts.

Scientists believe that if the rate of global warming exceeds 1.5 degrees Celsius relative to pre-industrial levels, the risks of catastrophic climate events will increase significantly. These facts underline the importance of both international cooperation and individual efforts in the struggle to maintain a stable climate on the planet.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of celebrating International Bird Day.