World to commemorate World Environment Day on June 5

With the definite agenda to provide human face to environmental issues, empower people to become active agent of sustainable and equitable development, need to change attitudes towards environmental issues and advocate partnership, the World Environment Day (WED) '2008' will be hosted this year by New Zealand in the capital Wellington.

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The World Environment Day is commemorating each year on June 5 at changed location every year. This year focus is kept on 'climate change and low carbon economies,' as the “climate change” is going to be the definite issue of the era.

To keep solutions and the opportunities at the core of agenda for countries, companies and communities to kick the habit and de-carbonise their economies and life-styles, the slogan for 2008 has been selected after much deliberations as “Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy.”

Measures comprises greater energy efficiency in buildings and appliances, including light bulbs, up to a switch towards cleaner and renewable forms of electricity generation and transport systems will be discussed in the global meeting following the celebration. The focus will also be put on the role of forests in countering rises in greenhouse gases.

The World Environment Day will also highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption.

On this day Prime Ministers, Ministers of Environment and other significant dignitaries deliver statements and commit themselves to care for the Earth. Serious pledges are made to lead the establishment of permanent governmental structures dealing with environmental management and economic planning. This observance also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions.

The WED is the principle vehicle through which the UN stimulates world wide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

The year 1972 saw two significant developments: first, the World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, and second, the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) was established by the Assembly as a separate branch to take care of the environmental issues worldwide.

Since then it is being celebrated in many ways comprising street rallies, bicycles parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, clean-up campaigns and in many more ways.