World Environment Day

Theme 2011 :Forests: Nature At Your Service | 05 June: 2011

World Environment Day (WED) is a day that stimulates awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and public action. It is on 5 June. It was the day that United Nations Conference on the Human Environment began. The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was from 5–16 June 1972. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. The first World Environment Day was on 1973. World Environment Day is hosted every year by a different city with a different theme and is commemorated with an international exposition in the week of 5 June. World Environment Day is in summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

"Stockholm was without doubt the landmark event in the growth of international environmentalism", writes John McCormick in the book Reclaiming Paradise. "It was the first occasion on which the political, social and economic problems of the global environment were discussed at an intergovernmental forum with a view to actually taking corrective action.

Environmental load increases with increasing population and rapid economic growth. Growth should be environmentally benign and sustainable. Monitoring and timely actions for mitigation of negative environmental impacts are important. Greater environmental awareness, appropriate policies and regulatory mechanisms are important means to ensure these considerations in development. Forest cover of India is 67.71 million ha, which is 20.60% of its geographical area. Of this, 5.46 million ha (1.66%) is very dense forest, 33.26 million ha (10.12%) is moderately dense and the rest 28.99 million ha is open including 0.44 million ha of mangroves. The policy target is to have 33% forest and tree cover ultimately which will require additional coverage of 16 million ha. Sanctuaries and National Parks showcase biodiversity and require specific measures for preservation. There are 96 National Parks and 509 Wildlife sanctuaries declared for the protection of wildlife habitats. The total area of 15.7 million ha, which is about 4.78% of the geographical area of the country covering about 20% of the total forests is maintained under the protected area network.

Global Climate Change due to rising levels of Green House Gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere is one of the most serious environmental concerns of our time. Since Global warming depends upon the total stock of GHG in the atmosphere, continued emissions beyond the earth’s absorptive capacity necessarily imply a rise in temperature. If emissions are stabilized at present level, a warming of about 0.2oC per decade is projected by Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Many Regions in India are highly vulnerable to natural and other disasters on account of geological conditions. About 60% of the landmass is susceptible to earthquakes and over 8% is prone to floods. Of the nearly 7500 kilometers of coastline, approximately 5700 kilometers is prone to cyclones. About 68% area is susceptible to drought.

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 has been enacted for establishing requisite institutional mechanisms for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of disaster management plans, ensuring measures by various wings of the government for prevention and mitigating the effects of disasters, and for undertaking a holistic, coordinated and prompt response to any disaster situation.

The Environment and Forest Division is concerned with:

Devising plans for the improvement of Environment and Forestry activities, this involves the following tasks:

- Formulation of Five Year Plans, Annual Plans, processing reports and evaluation.
- Identification of thrust areas that need specific attention and Follow up actions.
- Identification of policy directions, major strategies and thrust areas for inclusion in the approach documents of the Planning Commission.

Preparation of background notes Finalization of approaches, policies, strategies, targets, investment priorities etc. in the context of formulation of Five Year Plans with concerned Central Departments/Ministries.

Performance Review (PR) of Financial/Physical Performance of the concerned Ministry Plan Schemes, Initiatives and Follow-up.

Review and monitoring the performance of State and Central Pollution Control Boards and gives directions for their effective reach.

Promotes Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) among the Industrial sectors and Public Entrepreneurs in order to reduce GHG emissions and thereby involving in Carbon trading which leads to the development of sustainable energy development.

Crafting Weather Insurance program for the farmers of the country which may lead to an ultimate solution for the crop insurance

Forests: Nature At Your Service

Forests cover one third of the earth’s land mass, performing vital functions and services around the world which make our planet alive with possibilities. In fact, 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods. They play a key role in our battle against climate change, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere while storing carbon dioxide.

Forests feed our rivers and are essential to supplying the water for nearly 50% of our largest cities. They create and maintain soil fertility; they help to regulate the often devastating impact of storms, floods and fires.

Splendid and inspiring, forests are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on land, and are home to more than half of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects.

Forests also provide shelter, jobs, security and cultural relevance for forest-dependent populations. They are the green lungs of the earth, vital to the survival of people everywhere -- all seven billion of us.

Forests embody so much of what is good and strong in our lives. Yet despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, we are destroying the very forests we need to live and breathe.

Global deforestation continues at an alarming rate -- every year, 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed. That’s equal to the size of Portugal. Short-term investments for immediate gains (e.g., logging) compound these losses. People who depend on forests for their livelihoods are struggling to survive. Many precious species face extinction. Biodiversity is being obliterated. What’s more, economists around the world have proven that by not integrating the values of forests into their budgets, countries and businesses are paying a high price. One that ultimately impoverishes us all as harm to our forest life-support system continues each and every single day.

But this trend is not irreversible. It’s not too late to transform life as we know it into a greener future where forests are at the heart of our sustainable development and green economies.

Conserving forests and expanding them need to be recognized as a business opportunity. When we add it up, an investment of US$30 billion fighting deforestation and degradation could provide a return of US$2.5 trillion in new products and services.

Furthermore, targeted investments in forestry could generate up to 10 million new jobs around the world. Already, many leaders are glimpsing the potential for renewable energy and nature-based assets, but for transformation to happen, forests need to become a universal political priority.

The services forests provide are essentially to every aspect of our quality of life. And the answer to sustainable forest management, moving towards a green economy, lies in our hands.

Doesn’t knowing this make it so much easier to see the forest from the trees!

Saving forests requires a change in lifestyle

If you ever wondered how it would be possible for you to save an entire forest then look no further than making simple lifestyle changes. Forests play multiple roles in our lives, including providing a source of livelihood, refuge for many species, and clean air for all.

As a result of the growing global pollution levels forests have often come to be referred to as the ‘lungs of the earth’. This is particularly because deforestation and forest degradation account for nearly 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which forests would absorb if carefully managed.

Broadly, there are three main sources of forest degradation: commercial logging, fires, and gathering wood for fuel. Insects and pests also cause considerable forest degradation.

Difference between deforestation and degradation

Deforestation is the reduction of forest cover, notably viewed by the loss of trees. Commercial logging and fires are examples of causes of deforestation. It is however possible to use forests in a properly managed way that maintains their existence. There is therefore no deforestation if there is a guarantee of continuity in maintaining the forest cover.

Degradation refers to the loss of quality of the forests, rather than coverage. The quality of a forest can be observed through monitoring the survival rates of its ecosystem, for example vegetation layers, soil, flora and fauna. Some of the causes of forest degradation are the gathering of wood for fuel, and insects and pests.

Benefits of forests

As a resource, forests provide many important natural resources, such as timber, fuel, rubber, paper and medicinal plants. Forests also help sustain the quality and availability of freshwater supplies. More than three quarters of the world’s accessible freshwater comes from forested catchments. Water quality declines with decreases in forest condition and cover, and natural hazards such as floods, landslides, and soil erosion have larger impacts

Climate change Mitigation

It’s well known that forests play a key role in our battle against climate change; storing carbon and sucking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and locking it into their biomass.
Products / Benefits (water)

But what’s less well known is that the products and services they provide are essential to every aspect of life. By regulating water for many of the world’s rivers, they help secure water quality, and supply nearly half of the world’s largest cities from Caracas to New York. They also help decrease the impacts of storms and floods, whilst helping control erosion.

Biodiversity
As the most biologically diverse ecosystems on land, forests are home to more than half of terrestrial species, from the great apes to the smallest of creatures.
Economics and Livelihoods

They also provide homes, security and livelihoods for 60 million Indigenous peoples, whilst contributing to the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people worldwide.
Products & Biodiversity

The impact of forests reaches even further. In many developing countries more than 80% of total energy consumed by people and industry derives from forests. Such as fuel wood and charcoal. Trade in timber and other forest products, is estimated at almost 330 billion US Dollars /year. Its value multiplies as its processed into a myriad of products used globally every day. Use of the genetic diversity within forests enables the development of new medicines; progress in healthcare and science.

The numbers

Forests cover 31% of total land area while at the same time supporting 80% of terrestrial biodiversity that live in them. Many of the world’s most threatened and endangered animals live in these forests, making them crucial to sustaining ecosystems. Not only animals live in the forests, as they also provide a home to more than 300 million people worldwide.

World Environment Day and forests

Beyond supporting the natural habitat, forests sustain economic growth. In 2004 trade in forest products was estimated at $327 billion. Continued and uncontrolled deforestation therefore not only has devastating consequences for the environment, the wildlife and communities, but for economies around the world.

Rather shockingly, 36 million acres of natural forest are lost each year. World Environment Day (WED) chose this year’s theme, ‘Forests: Nature at Your Service’, to encourage forest conservation and sustainable consumption for green growth, and in support of the UN International Year of Forests initiative. Preserving forests throughout the world has to be in our collective consciousness so as to change our lifestyles.

Theme 2010

'Many Species. One Planet. One Future', was the theme of 2010 Earth Day. It celebrated the incredible diversity of life on Earth as part of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity. This year's global host, Rwanda – a country of exceptional biodiversity that has made huge strides on environmental protection – leaded the celebrations with three days of keynote events.

Thousands of activities were organized worldwide, with beach clean-ups, concerts, exhibits, film festivals, community events and much more.^[3]

Theme 2009

World Environment Day logo for 2009. Your Planet Needs You - UNite to Combat Climate Change.

The theme for WED 2009 was 'Your Planet Needs You - UNite to Combat Climate Change'. It reflected the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests.

WED 2009's host was Mexico which reflected the growing role of the Latin American country in the fight against climate change, including its growing participation in the carbon markets.

Mexico is also a leading partner in UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign. The country, with the support of its President and people, has spearheaded the pledging and planting of some 25 per cent of the trees under the campaign. Accounting for around 1.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the country is demonstrating its commitment to climate change on several fronts.

Mexican President Felipe Calderón stated that the WED celebration will "further underline Mexico's determination to manage natural resources and deal with the most demanding challenge of the 21st century – climate change."

Pittsburgh, was selected as the North American host city by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to join World Environment Day-2010.The theme of this year was "Many Species: One Planet, One Future." Highlighting theme "Biodiversity- Ecosystem Management and the Green Economy".

Theme 2008

World Environment Day logo for 2008.

The host for World Environment Day 2008 was New Zealand, with the main international celebrations scheduled for Wellington. The slogan for 2008 was "CO₂, Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy." New Zealand was one of the first countries to pledge to achieve carbon neutrality, and will also focus on forest management as a tool for reducing greenhouse gases. Activities based around the event have been planned in the Wellington region between the 28th of May and the 13th of June.

Volunteers appeared around the Auckland region in New Zealand on World Environment Day 2008. These volunteers were located primarily at major transport hubs (such as train stations) and advertised World Environment Day, as well as handing out eco-friendly products such as eco-friendly light-bulbs and eco-friendly shopping bags. Volunteers at public transport hubs also handed out stickers with the slogan I'm reducing my carbon footprint! World Environment Day, Thursday 5 June 2008 as well as providing free entertainment as an act of gratitude to public transport users.

The Chicago Botanic Garden served as the North American host for World Environment Day on June 5, 2008. The daylong celebration featured activities for everyone in the family along with presentations by local and national organizations in the areas of food, shelter, energy, education, transportation, and public awareness.
A relatively new way of making environmental causes popular is through online games.

This trend has gained popularity in recent times.

An online game by an independent publisher was launched for WED 2008 with this year's theme "CO₂, Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy." the game was called Carbon chomper and can be played for free at this link. Similar environmental issue related and conservation themed games can be found at cleanuptheworld.org [3] and gamesforchange.org

2007

World Environment Day logo for 2007.

The topic for World Environment Day for 2007 was "Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?" During International Polar Year, WED 2007 focused on the effects that climate change is having on polar ecosystems and communities, on other ice- and snow-covered areas of the world, and the resulting global impacts.

2006

The topic for WED 2006 was Deserts and Desertification and the slogan was "Don't desert drylands".The slogan emphasised the importance of protecting drylands, which cover more than 40% of the planet's surface. This ecosystem is home to one-third of the world's people who are more vulnerable members of society. The main international celebrations of the World Environment Day 2006 were held in Algeria.
2005

Standard WED banners hung in San Francisco in May 2005.The theme for the 2005 World Environment Day was "Green Cities" and the slogan was "Plan for the Planet!"

Today, the majority of the world's people live in cities. Recognizing this historic moment, Mayor Gavin Newsom has invited Mayors from around the globe to San Francisco for United Nations World Environment Day to forge a collective path towards a sustainable urban future. Mayors are emerging as the most powerful and flexible agents of change. They are able to respond quickly to environmental issues and are uniquely accountable to their citizens. Their enormous purchasing power is shaping markets and making environmental sustainability a manufacturing consideration. They are tackling the globe's most challenging environmental issues and their visionary solutions provide inspiration and serve as models to all sectors of society.

Previous events

World Environment Day celebrations have been hosted in the following cities:^[8]

Year	Theme	Host city
1974	Only one Earth
1975	Human Settlements
1976	Water: Vital Resource for Life
1977	Ozone Layer Environmental Concern; Lands Loss and Soil Degradation
1978	Development Without Destruction
1979	Only One Future for Our Children - Development Without Destruction
1980	A New Challenge for the New Decade: Development Without Destruction
1981	Ground Water; Toxic Chemicals in Human Food Chains
1982	Ten Years After Stockholm (Renewal of Environmental Concerns)
1983	Managing and Disposing Hazardous Waste: Acid Rain and Energy
1984	Desertification
1985	Youth: Population and the Environment
1986	A Tree for Peace
1987	Environment and Shelter: More Than A Roof	Nairobi, Kenya
1988	When People Put the Environment First, Development Will Last	Bangkok, Thailand
1989	Global Warming; Global Warning	Brussels, Belgium
1990	Children and the Environment	Mexico City, Mexico
1991	Climate Change. Need for Global Partnership	Stockholm, Sweden
1992	Only One Earth, Care and Share	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1993	Poverty and the Environment - Breaking the Vicious Circle	Beijing, People's Republic of China
1994	One Earth One Family	London, United Kingdom
1995	We the Peoples: United for the Global Environment	Pretoria, South Africa
1996	Our Earth, Our Habitat, Our Home	Istanbul, Turkey
1997	For Life on Earth	Seoul, Republic of Korea
1998	For Life on Earth - Save Our Seas	Moscow, Russian Federation
1999	Our Earth - Our Future - Just Save It!	Tokyo, Japan
2000	The Environment Millennium - Time to Act	Adelaide, Australia
2001	Connect with the World Wide Web of Life	Torino, Italy and Havana, Cuba
2002	Give Earth a Chance	Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
2003	Water – Two Billion People are Dying for It!	Beirut, Lebanon
2004	Wanted! Seas and Oceans – Dead or Alive?	Barcelona, Spain
2005	Green Cities – Plan for the Planet!	San Francisco, United States
2006	Deserts and Desertification - Don't Desert Drylands!	Algiers, Algeria
2007	Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?	Tromsø, Norway
2008	Kick The Habit - Towards A Low Carbon Economy	Wellington, New Zealand
2009	Your Planet Needs You - UNite to Combat Climate Change	Mexico City, Mexico
2010	Many Species. One Planet. One Future	Kigali, Rwanda
2011	Forests:Nature at your Service	New Delhi, India