Celebrate with Actions on World Environment Day, June 5, 2009

Ace! NewsFlash

World Environment Day
June 5, 2009

“On this World Environment Day, I encourage all people to take concrete steps toward making the planet greener and cleaner. Switch off the lights. Take public transportation. Recycle. Plant a tree. Clean up your local park. Hold corporations responsible for their environmental practices. And urge your government representatives to Seal the Deal in Copenhagen.”

-- Message from Mr. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General
on World Environment Day

World Environment Day is celebrated around the globe every year on June 5. The World Environment Day 2009 theme -- Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change -- reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting to be held in Copenhagen later in the year.
Combating climate change and preserving ecosystem services that underpin our economies is an issue for everyone. Every individual's efforts, no matter how large or small, can contribute to the sustainable development of our economies and communities around the world.

YOUR PLANET NEEDS YOU

Energy and Climate – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently said, “Climate change is a clear and present danger to our world that demands immediate attention. The United States is fully engaged and determined to make up for lost time, both at home and abroad.” Read the full text of Secretary Clinton’s Remarks at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate.

Landsat satellite images of the Amazon forest near the Brazilian states of Tocantins, Maranhao and Para in 1995 and 1997

Forecasts Show How Changing Environment Might Affect Life - Ecological forecasts — a critical new tool for resource managers on a planet whose climate is warming — predict the effects of biological, chemical and physical changes in the environment on ecosystems that support the existence of life on Earth.

Global Green New Deal Policy Brief (March 2009, 36 pages) - This paper examines multilateral and national efforts to address the current financial crisis and its social, economic and environmental impacts, addressing the interconnected global climate, food fuel, water challenges that threaten society over the medium term.

ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTO GALLERY

A Timeline of Environmental Treaties – This list of key environmental treaties illustrates through moving images how nations are working together -- politically and scientifically -- to safeguard our planet and respond to global threats to the environment.

Climate Change Today - Carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by human activities is causing changes in Earth's surface temperature, rainfall and sea level. Check out these impactful images to see how these changes may impact the world in which we live today.

GREENING YOUR DAY

Green Your Daily Routine - Going green is not as difficult as you might think. We can all do our part to protect the planet by using less and acting more. Check out 30 easy ways to green your daily routine, from the moment you hit snooze on your solar-powered alarm clock to the point when you crawl into your eco-washed, organic cotton sheets.

Protect the Environment: At Home and in the Garden - Tips for home safety, avoiding potential risks, and preventing pollution by recycling and conserving water and energy.

TWITTER FOR TREES

United Nations World Environment Day is approaching! And in an effort to get things rolling, the UN has launched a “Twitter for Trees” campaign in which they will plant a tree for each new Twitterer that follows @UNEPandYou before June 5. Support the UN’s effort to green our planet by following the United Nations Environment Programme on Twitter.

JOIN THE CLIMATE HEROES!

A highlight of this year’s World Environment Day is the launch of the Climate Heroes, an effort that supports individuals who are undertaking exceptional personal feats, high-profile expeditions, and other acts of environmental activism to demonstrate their commitment to raise awareness for one simple idea: Your planet needs You! Their projects focus on environmental “hot topics” like CO2 output, finding smart solutions to beat waste, and tree planting.


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