World Environment Day - Your Planet Needs You!

Friday, June 5, 2009


The world will witness and celebrate the 38th World Environment Day (WED) today. World Environment Day celebrated every year on 5 June in more than 100 countries was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. It is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The day's agenda is to:


Give a human face to environmental issues;
Empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development;
Promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues;
Advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

On this day, individuals, non-governmental organizations, community and youth groups, business, industry and the media organize activities to renew their commitments to protect and develop the environment. They organize activities such as clean-up campaigns, tree planting, colorful street rallies, green concerts, essay and photo competitions in schools, and recycling efforts. On that particular day, heads of State, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment deliver statements and commit themselves to care for the Earth. Pledges are made which lead to the establishment of permanent governmental structures dealing with environmental management. It also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions.


The theme for WED 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You-Unite to Combat Climate Change'. It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests. The theme for 2009 is climate change and the broader consequences of environmental change, and what societies can do in response. Combating climate change and preserving ecosystems services that underpin our economies is an issue for everyone. Every individual's efforts, no matter how small, can contribute to the sustainable development of our economies and communities around the world.


This year's host is Mexico which reflects the growing role of the Latin American country in the fight against climate change, including its growing participation in the carbon markets. Last year the main global host was New Zealand and the theme was 'Kick the C02 Habit-Towards a Low Carbon Economy'.