Since the first celebration in 1974 on June 5, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been announcing the theme of the World Environment Day to raise awareness and generate political momentum for conservation of environment and nature. "Connecting People to Nature" is the theme of this year's World Environment Day.
The UNEP has urged people 'to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it. It challenges us to find fun and exciting ways to experience and cherish this vital relationship'.
According to the UNEP, billions of rural people around the world spend every working day 'connected to nature' and appreciate full well their dependence on natural water supplies and how nature provides their livelihoods in the form of fertile soil. However, they are among the first to suffer when ecosystems are threatened, whether by pollution, climate change or over-exploitation.
Governments and the organizations in the United Nations system will be undertaking on June 5 worldwide activities reaffirming their concern for the preservation and enhancement of the environment.
At personal level, each of us needs to commit to protect Mother Nature to which we owe our existence and life of future generations.
Of late, there had been growing concern about the depletion of the ozone layer, increase in toxic chemicals, desertification and global warming.
Over the years, the observance has developed into a global platform for taking action on urgent environmental issues. Millions of people have taken part over the years, helping drive change in their consumption habits, as well as in proper implementation of national and international environmental policies.
