Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Happy World Environment Day!


June 5, 2012.

 It has been 40 years since the United Nations General Assembly created “World Environment Day,” a day for people all over the world to come together to get creative and do something for the Earth.


Each year, the UNEP – United Nations Environment Program – suggests a theme for countries to work on and hosts a conference at one country to discuss this issue. Previous topics have ranged from “Forests: Nature at Your Service” in 2011 to “Time to Act” in 2000. This year’s theme is one that reflects on the world’s attempt to bounce back from the global recession that has affected us all badly: “Green Economy: Does it include you?”

The World Environment Day theme for 2012 not only focuses on how to make countries’ economies more eco-friendly, but also covers the idea of economies improving “human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities,” according to the official website for the 2012 World Environment Day. The theme fits this year’s United Nations conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from June 20th to 22nd, named “Rio +20” which will cover issues on Sustainable Development. The conference is an opportunity to “rethink economic growth advance social equity and ensure environmental protection,” 20 years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio.
Worldwide, schools, NGOs, and individuals are setting up activities for their community to celebrate World Environment Day. This is being done all over the world – from the US and Canada all the way to India, China, and Australia. Take a look at the projects being done at http://www.unep.org/wed/aroundtheworld/activitymap/. Iyou are doing something special this World Environment Day, register your activity and let the world know you’re making a difference!
World Environment Day is one time when we can make a difference on a global scale. Let’s keep this green international community growing!
Visit these websites for more interesting information on World Environment Day: