Friday 5th of June is the UN’s annual World Environment Day. The international event, dating back to 1972, is an effort by the United Nation’s Environment Programme to raise awareness of climate-change issues and encourage people into action. This year, as with so much of the current environmental debate, the focus is on giving people the tools they need to send one clear message to their leaders: Strike a meaningful and decisive agreement on climate solutions in Copenhagen this year.

The day is being chaired by Mexico, which has been taking significant measures on carbon emissions, has stepped up its presence in the carbon markets, and is acting to protect its local environment and forests. Mexico has taken leadership on these issues at recent climate meetings and is being seen as an example for other nations to follow – its take on the day should be interesting.

Key issues will be:

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

The WED website is full of useful resources on how to reduce your personal environmental impact, and also about how you can get involved on the day.  Take a look and take action:

http://www.unep.org/wed/2009/english/content/about.asp

Green Energy Republic