Environment Day is a chance for everyone to reflect and act on issues affecting the world's climate.
Events are organised around to world to allow people to participate in ways to help save our planet from the many dangers it is facing in our ever changing world.
In depth
Environment Day was founded in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly. It is commemorated every year on 5th June.
The aim is to increase awareness of environmental issues on a global scale, and to promote and encourage action that can be taken to safeguard the planet's future.
Events are organised to celebrate the day, from recycling campaigns to bicycle rallies. Schools can get involved in many ways, including essay and poster competitions and tree planting.
Eco-Schools is a global programme that encourages pupils and teachers to come up with fun, eco-friendly projects to help make their school a more pleasant place to be and reduce its impact on the environment.
Each year Environment Day has a chosen theme. For 2007 the theme is Melting Ice - A Hot Topic? It will focus on how climate change is affecting the ice and snow covered areas of Earth.
Previous themes:
- 2011 - Forests: Nature at your Service
- 2010 - Many Spaces. One Planet. One Future
- 2009 - UNite to Combat Climate Change
- 2008 - CO2 - Kick the Habit!
- 2007 - Melting Ice - A Hot Topic?
- 2006 – Deserts and Desertification – Don't Desert Drylands
- 2005 – Green Cities – Plan for the Planet!
- 2004 – Wanted! Seas and Oceans – Dead or Alive?
- 2003 – Water – Two Billion People are Dying for It!
- 2002 - Give Earth a Chance
- 2001 - Connect with the World Wide Web of Life
- 2000 - The Environment Millennium - Time to Act
- 1999 - Our Earth - Our Future - Just Save It!
- 1998 - For Life on Earth - Save Our Seas
Environment Day Q&A
How can schools get involved in Environment Day?
Ideas for activitivies include green concerts, competitions involving environmental issues, creating posters, writing essays and cycling events.
Schools can become even more involved by becoming Eco-Schools. Read case studies on how two Eco-Schools make their contribution to helping the environment.
What is the UNEP?
The UNEP is the United Nations Environment Programme. It is involved in organising high profile events for Environment Day, which includes deciding its yearly theme.
How many countries take part in Environment Day?
The UNEP is heavily involved in organising events for Environment Day. The UNEP is part of the United Nations. Currently the United Nations has forty-nine member countries, all of which are encouraged to participate in Environment Day.