WORLD Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment.
Over the years it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment.
In support of the UN designation of 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), WED this year will adopt SIDS in the broader context of climate change as its theme.
Climate change is a major challenge for SIDS, as global warming is causing ocean levels to rise. Due to their small size and isolation, SIDS are more vulnerable to natural and environmental disasters.
However, the problems that these small islands face – climate change, waste management, unsustainable consumption, degradation of natural resources, extreme natural disasters in the midst of overpopulation and continuing industrialisation – are the problems that face us all.
As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the launch of the 2014 International Year of Small Islands and Developing States: “Planet Earth is our shared island, let us join forces to protect it.”
WED is the opportunity for everyone to realise not only the responsibility to care for the Earth but also to become agents of change. The call is to raise our voice in solidarity with one another, particularly with the citizens of the small island states. Whether it is to organise clean-up campaigns, food waste reduction initiatives, walk-to-work days, plastic bans, art exhibits, tree-planting drives, concerts, dance recitals, recycling drives, social media campaigns and different contests – every action counts. When multiplied by a global chorus, our individual voices and actions become exponential in its impact.
