June 5 – World Environment Day
World Environment Day was established by the United Nations (UN) in its resolution (A/RES/2994 (XXVII)) of December 15, 1972. It has been celebrated since 1974 on June 5th each year, a date which marked the start of the Stockholm Conference in 1972, the central theme of which was the Environment. Two days after Environment Day, the UN General Assembly also approved the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
On World Environment Day, the United Nations (UN) raises awareness among the global population about environmental issues, intensifying attention and political action. The main objectives are to provide a human context, motivate people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote the fundamental role of communities in changing attitudes towards environmental issues, and foster cooperation to ensure that the environment is sustainable, as this will ensure that all nations and people enjoy a more prosperous and secure future.
World Environment Day is an event in which numerous activities take place: street rallies, ecological concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools and colleges, tree planting, recycling and cleaning campaigns, among others. It is also a multimedia event that prompts journalists to write and produce critical reports about the environment, as well as television documentaries, photographic exhibitions, intellectual events such as seminars, round tables, conferences, just to name a few.
In many countries, this celebration is an opportunity to sign or ratify international agreements and, sometimes, establish permanent governmental structures related to environmental management and economic planning. Environment Day is about taking care of nature and trying not to mistreat it.
In the official calendar of the United Nations, the most important date is precisely World Environment Day, the most important date since it promotes awareness and global action in favor of the environment.
