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World Environment Day

June 5

World Environment Day, held annually on June 5, is designed to stimulate worldwide awareness of ecological issues. Environment Day is also focused on generating political action for environmental conservation. The annual 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. Each year World Environment Day is held at a different location around the globe, to find this year’s location or any previous year's, World Day Localities.

World Environment Day was initially designed to give environmental issues a human face, one that people could identify with. The philosophy of World Environment Day has changed little over the last three decades; it still strives to associate faces with environmental issues and empower people to be advocates of sustainable and equitable development. By promoting an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing the attitudes towards environmental issues, and advocating partnerships, World Environment Day strives to ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safe, clean, healthy, and more prosperous future.

World Environment Day can be celebrated in numerous ways. There are no set activities; the day is about advocating for the environment. This can be done by holding rallies, bicycle parades, street cleanups, tree planting, recycling efforts, green concerts, essay contests or other writing activities. As long as you’re furthering awareness of our environment then you are celebrating.

In the words of the United Nations Environment Programme, "On this World Environment Day, let us not despair, but instead examine the state of our environment. Let us consider carefully the actions which each of us must take, and then address ourselves to our common task of preserving all life on earth in a mood of sober resolution and quiet confidence."

This can be done through large scale rallies or simply a personal conversation to another individual about doing their part. There are groups around the world holding activities on June 5; to find one near you World Day Organizers.