Your planet needs you!
The World Environment Day (WED), observed on 5 June each year, is one of the major modes through which the United Nations creates worldwide awareness of the environment.
The World Environment Day catchphrase for 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You--Unite to Combat Climate Change' followed by “Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy” 2008.
This year's host is Mexico which reflects the growing role of the Latin American country in the fight against climate change.
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 countering climate change on several fronts.
The day's agenda is to:
1.Give a human face to environmental issues;
2.Empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development;
3.Promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues;
4.Advocate partnership which will ensure that all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.
Climatic change represents a serious threat to every part of the globe, and it would be ridiculous to believe that this is just another issue being pushed by the developed countries down the throats of the developing world.
Until a decade ago, there was very little understanding of the financial, social and health effects of environmental degradation and the subsequent costs they impose on the economy. As environmental concerns and assessment of impacts of environmental degradation gained prominence globally, awareness regarding these issues has increased in Bangladesh as well, prompting the government as well as civil society institutions to focus on understanding and dealing with these issues.
We need to change such cold-hearted attitude for a clean future. Rather, we need to examine critically the state of our environment and to consider carefully the actions which each of us must take.
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