INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE TROPIES 2022: The tropics are the regions around the equator that lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, respectively. These places receive direct sunlight, are the warmest and experience abundant rainfall, resulting in a humid climate. This belt is home to about 40 percent of the world’s population and 80 percent of its biodiversity.
International Day of the Tropics is celebrated annually on June 29. The event highlights the importance of the tropics and the environmental and socio-economic challenges these regions face. Below we look at the history and significance of the celebration.
International Day of the Tropics: History
The James Cook University of Australia, in conjunction with 11 other research institutions, has submitted the first State of the Tropics report, which was launched on June 29, 2014. The report looked at various environmental, social and economic issues to understand whether life in the tropics is improving. It notes that the population in the tropics will increase from 40 percent to about 50 percent by 2050.
It looked at expected technology-assisted growth in the economic sector, poverty reduction and better access to education and health care.
However, the State of the Tropics report pointed to the impact of economic growth on the environment, with the increase in deforestation, an increasing number of endangered land species, the depletion of marine life from increased fishing in oceans, reduction of mangrove forest cover that has been essential for the integrity of the coast. The report also pointed to low agricultural productivity in the region compared to the rest of the world.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has taken note of this report. It adopted resolution A/RES/70/267 on June 14, 2016 and declared June 29 as International Tropical Day.
International Day of the Tropics: Meaning
International Day of the Tropics is celebrated every year to draw attention to the myriad challenges facing the nations of the Earth’s tropical regions and the wide-ranging implications of these problems. The annual event also underlines the importance of countries in the tropics in helping to achieve the sustainable development goals.
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