The World Environment Day (WED) was celebrated on 5th June, 2011 across the globe spreading out the message of Environment Conservation. This is a global occasion to demonstrate our commitment to preserving the environment. World Environment Day is a day for people from all walks of life to come together to ensure a cleaner, greener and brighter outlook for themselves and the future generations.
World Environment Day (WED) was established by the United Nations General Assembly to mark the opening of the 1972 Stockholm Conference and is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Celebrating WED is about the inspirational power of individual actions that collectively become an exponential force for positive change. WED thematic celebrations include caring for the earth and water, the ozone layer, climate change, desertification and sustainable development etc.
India for the first time this year served as global host of the United Nations’ World Environment Day marking the occasion with a week-long series of events across the country. The year 2011 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Forests reflecting forest issues and their numerous economic, environmental and social benefits and reinforcing the global concern with the official tagline – Forests: Nature at Your Service.
Over 1.6 billion people, today, are dependent on forests for their livelihoods. Yet, the world is losing its forests at an alarming rate — 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually, equal to the size of Portugal, according to UNEP.
Long-term survival of forests is crucial for sustainable development and a green economy. UNEP believes that 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.
By celebrating WED, we remind ourselves and others of the importance of caring for our environment. At an individual level also, we can in small ways make a positive impact on the environment. Curbing our unsustainable activities and habits would ensure that we continue to enjoy the important services that forests provide in our generation and the next.Let us, as responsible business professionals, contribute by taking small steps like Adopting go green approach at workplace i.e. reducing paper consumption, printing double-sided, reducing wood consumption shifting to rot iron, plastic furniture, turning off monitors, carpooling with friends, switching light bulbs to energy-efficient LED™s and starting an office recycling program. Forming a group of peers or colleagues to oversee the greening of workplace and surrounding areas. Supporting and motivating companies that use certified materials and operate in ways that are environmentally responsible. Planting of a tree by each one of us. This year being International Year of Forests, you may commit to planting and maintaining these trees together.Let us all join hands together and come to a better appreciation of the essential contributions of Earth’s forests to human well-being and focus on steps that each one of us can take to improve our stewardship of the world™s forests and the world environment for the common good of all.
Source: Message from ICSI
