World Environment Day 2026: Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.
By Dr. Juris Bunkis
Honorary Consul, Republic of Latvia in Southern California
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
June 5 marked World Environment Day, the United Nations’ largest global platform for environmental awareness and action. This year’s theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” reminds us that many of the solutions to our environmental challenges already exist in nature itself. The 2026 host nation was the Republic of Azerbaijan, a country that holds particularly fond memories for my Dr. Ekstrom and I.
Several years ago, we had the opportunity to visit Azerbaijan and were genuinely impressed. We expected beautiful scenery and fascinating history, but we were equally struck by the country’s modernization, cleanliness, and infrastructure. We observed remarkable cooperation among people of different faiths and backgrounds, and we were impressed by the pride citizens took in maintaining their communities and natural surroundings. Azerbaijan represents an intriguing blend of ancient culture and forward-looking development, making it a fitting host for this year’s global environmental celebrations.
The primary objective of World Environment Day is to encourage governments, businesses, communities, and individuals to take meaningful action to protect our planet. Climate change remains one of the defining challenges of our era. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and pollution affect every nation and every generation. World Environment Day serves as a reminder that environmental stewardship is not solely the responsibility of governments. It belongs to all of us.
Throughout the United States, communities commemorated the day through tree-planting campaigns, beach and park cleanups, recycling initiatives, educational programs, and climate-focused community events. Around the globe, similar activities took place. Schools, businesses, environmental organizations, and civic groups participated in projects aimed at reducing waste, restoring natural habitats, conserving water, and promoting sustainable practices.
While large-scale solutions are important, individual actions matter as well. Each of us can contribute by reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, recycling thoughtfully, using water responsibly, planting trees and native plants, choosing sustainable transportation when possible, and supporting environmentally responsible businesses.
The cumulative impact of millions of small actions can be enormous. Future generations will inherit the planet we leave behind. By making thoughtful choices today, we can help ensure a healthier, cleaner, and safer world tomorrow.
Nature has always inspired humanity. Perhaps now more than ever, it can help guide us toward a better future.
Drs. Bunkis and Ekstrom at the Heydar Aliyev Center, one of the most recognizable buildings in Azerbaijan and a symbol of modern Baku. It was designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid and opened in 2012. The building houses a museum, exhibition spaces, conference facilities, and an auditorium. Its flowing, wave-like design intentionally avoids straight lines and sharp angles, creating the appearance that the structure is rising organically from the landscape. But we can tell you that walking up and down irregularly shaped steps takes some getting used to!
Enjoying nature closer to home, Scottsdale, AZ.
Upper Eyelid Ptosis Repair
By Dr. Deborah Ekstrom
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
Quiz: What structure determines the position of the upper eyelid margin?
A. Eyebrow position
B. Forehead muscle
C. Eyelid lifting muscle and tendon ✔️
D. Nose shape
E. Skin thickness
Understanding Upper Eyelid Ptosis
Patients often come to our office complaining that their eyes look tired, heavy, or asymmetrical. While excess skin is frequently part of the problem, it is not always the entire story. The upper eyelid region is actually a complex anatomical area involving the brow, eyelid skin, muscle, and the eyelid’s lifting mechanism.
One common contributor to an aged appearance is excess upper eyelid skin. This condition is effectively treated with an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, during which redundant skin and, when appropriate, small amounts of underlying tissue are removed. Another contributor may be a low or descended brow. In such cases, a brow lift may be recommended to elevate the eyebrow to a more youthful position.
However, neither a blepharoplasty nor a brow lift directly corrects true eyelid ptosis.
Ptosis refers specifically to drooping of the upper eyelid margin itself. The eyelid edge may sit lower than normal, sometimes partially covering the pupil. Patients often notice that one eye appears smaller than the other, that they must raise their eyebrows to see better, or that they look chronically tired even after adequate rest.
The most common cause of adult ptosis is stretching or weakening of the levator aponeurosis, the tendon-like structure responsible for lifting the upper eyelid. Ptosis can occur naturally with aging, following eye surgery, after trauma (e.g. from wearing hard contact lenses), or occasionally from neurologic or muscular conditions.
Modern ptosis repair typically involves tightening or advancing the levator mechanism through an incision hidden within the natural eyelid crease. The procedure can sometimes be performed under local anesthesia with sedation, allowing the surgeon to fine-tune eyelid position during surgery. When appropriate, ptosis repair can be combined with upper blepharoplasty and occasionally with a brow lift to address all components of upper facial aging simultaneously.
The advantages of ptosis repair include improved visual function, better symmetry, a more alert appearance, and reduced reliance on constantly elevating the brows. The primary challenge is achieving excellent symmetry, as eyelid position can be influenced by several factors and must be carefully adjusted.
A thorough examination is critical because successful rejuvenation requires identifying whether the issue involves excess skin, brow descent, true ptosis, or a combination of all three. When properly diagnosed and treated, upper eyelid rejuvenation can dramatically improve both vision and appearance while maintaining a natural, refreshed look.
Have questions about your eyelids, brows, or facial rejuvenation options?
We would be delighted to evaluate your concerns and help determine which combination of procedures may be best suited to your individual anatomy and goals.
This healthy male sought consultation at Orange County Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA about a “lazy” left upper eyelid, causing asymmetry of his eyes. On the right side, the lash line crossed the colored part of the eye just at the upper border of the pupil. On the left side, the lash line was a few mm lower and the lash line cut off the upper quarter of the pupil. He is shown here before and after an elevation of his left lash line by tightening the levator muscle mechanism through an incision hidden within the eyelid crease. (Actual patient of Dr. Juris Bunkis of Orange County Plastic Surgery.)
This 35-year female sought consultation at Orange County Plastic Surgery concerning the heavy appearance of her upper eyelids. She demonstrated a hereditary upper lid skin excess, a lack of au upper eyelid crease, low eyebrows and a congenital ptosis of the left upper eyelid, with the lash line crossing the upper portion of the pupil. She was not concerned with her lower eyebrows but wished to have the skin excess removed, a crease created and her ptosis repaired. Dr. Bunkis removed her excess upper eyelid skin, created a crease along the upper eyelids and raised the lash lines by a few mm to correct her ptosis. Note that the distance from her lash lines to the brows did not change substantially because she did not have a brow lift. (Actual patient of Dr. Juris Bunkis of Orange County Plastic Surgery in Corona del Mar/Newport Beach.)
Orange County Plastic Surgery at CosmetiCare
1101 Bayside Drive, Suite 200
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
Take the elevator to the second floor (Suite 200) and check in with the front desk for your consultation or follow-up.
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