KICK THE CARBON HABIT ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY – 5 JUNE

By using public transport every individual has an opportunity to start living a low carbon lifestyle on World Environment Day. Celebrated on 5 June, this day is a popular global event with colourful activities such as street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, as well as recycling and cleaning-up campaigns.

The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! – Towards a Low Carbon Economy. Recognising that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is asking countries, companies and communities to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and how to reduce them.

The World Environment Day will 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.

The main international celebrations of World Environment Day 2008 will be held in Wellington, New Zealand. The day’s 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.

When did it all begin?

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. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of UNEP.

How can you celebrate World Environment Day?

World Environment Day can be celebrated in many ways, including street rallies, bicycles parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, recycling efforts, clean-up campaigns and much more. In many countries, this annual event is used to enhance political attention and action.

Read more about global festivities and what you can do to show you care about climate change: http://www.unep.org/wed/2008/english/