World Environment Day 2007 carries the slogan Melting Ice-a Hot Topic? This slogan was selected to complement 2007 as the International Polar Year and to highlight the effects that climate change is having on polar ecosystems and communities. The main international celebrations are being held today in Norway.

The First World Environment Day

Since 1972, the United Nations has celebrated June 5th as World Environment Day. The United Nations General Assembly created this awareness day to honor the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. This conference laid the foundation for addressing human and environmental issues at the international level. On this same day, the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) was created. June 5th is a historical day for world environmental action and awareness.

Source: United Nations Development Program 2007

A Word From the United Nations

"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. 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." Click here for a list of World Environment Day activities.

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