World Environment Day

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is about you and me. 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 theme Give Earth a Chance calls on each and every one of us to contribute to the healing of the ailing planet. In spite of considerable efforts and significant achievements, many of the problems, which plagued the Earth during the 20th Century, still linger. More than ever, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that the environment remains at the top of the global agenda. You will note that the logo of the International Year of Mountains (IYM) has been incorporated in our world Environment Day (WED) logo in order to highlight this important United Nations Year.

Broadly, our 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; and advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. World Environment Day is a people's event with colourful activities such as street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, essays and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, as well as recycling and clean-up campaigns.

For events and activities in your area, check the following web sites:

http://www.unep.org/wed/2002/Default.asp

http://www.ea.gov.au/events/index.html

http://www.acn.net.au/articles/1998/06/enviro.htm

http://www.lpe.nt.gov.au/default.htm

http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/

http://www.wilderness.org.au/

http://www.environment.act.gov.au

For further information