World Environment Day is an important day in the calendar of the United Nations. It is one of the avenues the United Nations uses to advocate for environmental protection and call for political action on the same. This important day helps to promote the ways that can be adopted to improve on the environment, for instance investing in more forest cover. The celebration or observance is held on 5th June every year. There is immense disparity in the way this crucial day is celebrated in different countries. Among these ways include street rallies, parades, tree planting, concerts and environment cleanup campaigns. In countries such as the UK and the United States, this day is used to call on the political class to up their game and take serious action towards improving the environment. This day, otherwise known as observance in the United Nations Circles, offers an opportunity to ratify or even sign international environmental conservations. While this day is celebrated worldwide, the United Nations World Environment day is not a public holiday, and celebrating it will not impair on the daily running/operations of businesses.
Background
The World Environment Day was established by the UN general assembly as a unique way of marking the UN General Assembly conference that was held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972. In this same meeting, another resolution was adopted – which led to the formation of the UNEP. This day is held all over the world and it is commemorated in June 5th every year. Expositions are held throughout the week leading up to June 5th.
Symbols Associated With UN World Environment Day
The main symbols of this celebration are natural colors. These colors depict nature, the earth and the natural resources that are found therein. More often, some of these colors are blue, green, and natural brown. Images that depict natural earth are unpolluted rivers, clean beaches, snowy mountains, natural flora and fauna and many more. One or several of these images can be used to promote campaigns that support the day.
Theme of the UN Environment Day
Every year, the Environment Program of the United States develops a theme which is used globally to raise awareness and galvanize support from governments, organizations and individuals from all over the world. The message is intended to ask all concerned persons to focus more on the threats that the environment face globally and think of ways that can help to resolve these threats. The theme for 2015 was “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care”. This will also serve as the slogan for the world environmental day 2015. The meaning of this theme and slogan is that we have seven continents today with more than seven billion people combined. And because every human being lives with one dream-live, eat and consume better. Most of the population cares nothing about the environment. One planet to consume with care means that although we have about 7 billion people, we just have one planet that we live and survive. The surface area is limited, shelter and food also limited. If we continue using the available natural resources as we do today, our future generations may be forced to go hungry and without homes. This is why it’s of vital importance to consume whatever food that’s available with care. Stop the wastage and use whatever resource that’s available according to need, not greed.
The Day’s Anthem
An anthem is provided for the World Environment Day. At the moment, the one in use was composed by Abhay K., who is an Indian poet cum diplomat. This anthem was officially ratified in 2013 and continues to be used to date.
Theme and slogan for 2016
“Join the race to make the world a better place” I the theme and slogan for 2016 UN World Environment day. This slogan carries a clear message and asks everyone to get involved in making the world a better place to live in.
Celebrity Endorsements and Media Campaigns
Celebrities have played an important part of the society for many years now. Celebrities and media personalities have encouraged and put a lot of emphasis on the UN World Environment day. Well known celebrities such as Gisele Bündchen are known to have send distress calls to the entire world to come forward, join the team and help fight climate change. Radio and print journalists have also helped in creating awareness campaigns and asking people from all over the world to observe this day and act accordingly. The media personalities provide live coverage and also try reaching the general population through many other methods. In countries such as New Zealand where this day is marked in pomp and color, major media outlets launched a massive campaign that was dubbed “ My Earth, My Duty” This has been one of the most successful campaigns to mark World Environment Day 2015. These media campaigns go a long way in asking for support from everyone to ensure that the world becomes a friendly place. With celebrities and media taking part in sensitization campaigns, there is no doubt that more people could be encouraged to get out of their homes and provide help that is aimed at ensuring that the environment is preserved for the future generations.
Participations and Effort by Children
In some parts of the world, children are a critical part of celebrating the United Nation Environment Day. In Nepal Republic for instance, children and students from grade 1 all the way to a level are requested to attend and actively engage in forestry and related programs in their locality. Also, there are many competitions that are organized by the government and at the end of the week for commemorating the World Environment Day, rewards are offered to those offered the most to the program.
