World Environment Day June 5
John Muir said “God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools”.Fortunately, people worldwide have begun to realize the damage they are causing to the environment due to the developmental activities undertaken.
Efforts were made to spread awareness about the importance of a healthy environment, to solve the environmental issues by implementing some positive environmental actions and to make people aware that not only government or organizations, but each and every individual is responsible for protecting the environment. Thus, it was decided to observe The World Environment Day (WED) annually. The first WED was on 5th of June,1974.
Gradually, WED has grown to become a global platform that addresses various environmental issues with its reach in over 143 countries. Each year, WED has a new theme which is adopted by major corporations, NGOs, communities, governments and celebrities worldwide for the benefit of the environment.
In 1974, the first WED was held with the theme "Only One Earth". Ever since WED celebrations have been held annually. In 1987 the idea for rotating the center of these activities through selecting different host countries began.
The issues addressed on World Environment day includes loss of food, deforestation, increasing global warming, carbon neutrality, reducing greenhouse effects, use of renewable energy, mangroves restoration among many others. Every year celebration is planned according to the particular theme and a slogan that makes an impact to make the campaign effective all over the world.
Some objectives of observing World Environment Day are -
It is celebrated to make people aware of environmental issues.
Encourage common people from different society and communities to actively participate in the celebration as well as become an active agent in developing environmental safety measures.
Encourage people to make their nearby surroundings safe and clean to enjoy a cleaner and healthier future.
Different countries celebrate WED by adopting various activities that will make a difference to the environment. Some of the national and international level activities include street rallies, tree plantation, garbage recycling, surrounding areas clean-up, parades and many more activities in order to draw attention towards a wide range of environmental issues as well as make a difference.
Each year celebration of the World Environment Day is based on the particular theme decided by the United Nations to make the celebration more effective by encouraging mass people worldwide to hugely take part in addressing environmental issues on a global scale.
The theme for 2017 is 'Connecting People to Nature – in the city and on the land, from the poles to the equator'. The host country is Canada.
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, announced six youth ambassadors who will champion and support the participation of young people in World Environment Day celebrations.
As the host of World Environment Day 2017, Canada aims to inspire all Canadians and people around the world to connect to nature, to appreciate its natural beauty and importance, and to protect the earth we share.
The youth ambassadors will help to connect youth across the country and empower them to show their pride in Canada's environment. Youth ambassadors will also work to encourage young Canadians to organize and participate in events that unite young Canadians in support of the environment.
Thus as we celebrate World Environment Day every year, may more and more people become sensitive towards their environment. As Margaret Mead has said, "We won't have a society if we destroy the environment"
