VIDEO:JUNE 5TH MARKS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

June the 5th marks World Environment Day. It is an event celebrated every year to raise global awareness about the need to take positive environmental action.

The 2012 theme for World Environment Day is the "Green Economy: Does it include you?" A Green Economy is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. However, China's economic and social development has come at the cost of resources and the environment.

To improve the environment, China has made great efforts in recent years. While restructuring the economic development mode, China encourages enterprises to gain economic benefits through developing green industries.

Meanwhile, air quality has been a major concern to people in China. In today's press conference, top Chinese environmental protection officials said the country will launch new air quality standards in pilot cities this year.

Wu Xiaoqing, Vice Minister of Ministry of Environmental Protection, is outlining the country's environmental protection policies.

Chinese seas', bays' water quality "extremely poor"
The quality of both near-shore water in north China's Bohai Sea and the East China Sea and water in five of the nine bays along China's coast has been slammed by the country's Ministry of Environmental Protection. Full story>>

China establishes more nature reserves in 2011
China has established a total of 2,640 different types of nature reserves by the end of 2011, covering 14.9 percent of the country's land territory, announced vice minister of environmental protection Wu Xiaoqing on Tuesday. Full story>>

China 2011 air quality fails new standards
Fine particulate matter in the air of most Chinese cities in 2011 exceeded the new air quality standards set by the country, with an average level of 58 micrograms per cubic meter, Wu Xiaoqing, vice minister of the Ministry of Environmental Protection announced on Tuesday. Full story>>

Secretary-General's message on World Environment Day

Latest Statements

New York, 5 June 2012 - Secretary-General's message on World Environment Day

As the world gears up for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), World Environment Day is an opportunity to highlight the need for a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable world.  This year’s theme, “Green Economy: Does it include you?”, underscores the need for everyone to play their part in keeping humankind's ecological footprint within planetary boundaries.
The world’s population stands at 7 billion and may rise to more than 9 billion by 2050.  This means greater pressure on already crowded cities – where more than half of all people now live – and on natural resources, as demand for food, water and energy rises.  It also means more people in search of decent jobs.  Globally, 1.3 billion people are currently unemployed or under-employed.  An estimated half billion more will join the job market over the next decade.
Sustainability entails providing opportunity for all by balancing the social, economic and environmental dimensions of development.  We have to rebut the myth that there is conflict between economic and environmental health.  With smart policies and the right investments, countries can protect their environment, grow their economies, generate decent jobs and accelerate social progress.
Rio+20 is our opportunity to deepen global commitment to sustainable development.  In Rio, we should agree that measuring growth and wealth by Gross Domestic Product alone is inadequate.  We should agree that the world needs a set of sustainable development goals that will build on the Millennium Development Goals.  And we should make progress on some of the building blocks of sustainability – energy, water, food, cities, oceans, jobs and the empowerment of women.
Sustainability is gaining prominence on the public policy agenda in both developed and developing nations.  The UN itself is working towards climate neutrality and sustainable management of our offices and activities.  In Rio, we must mobilize the partnerships we need to shift the world onto a more sustainable trajectory of growth and development.  On this World Environment Day, in advance of this historic conference, I urge governments, businesses and all members of society to make the holistic choices that will ensure a sustainable future – the future we want.

Get involved in the Green Economy!

Celebrate World Environment Day 2012

And get involved in the Green Economy!

A Green Economy as an economic environment that achieves...

low carbon emissions, reduces pollution, uses natural resources efficiently and improves our well-being, whilst preventing the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems which provide numerous service we need to live for free.
Find out ten ways you can be part of a greener economy…

1 - Energy
Our lifestyles demand energy but mainstream sources of oil, coal and gas are not sustainable and are harmful to our health and environment. You can help us build a Green Economy by being a model of energy efficiency and showing support for clean, sustainable energy sources in your home, business and local community...

• Choose businesses & products which invest in clean, renewable energy
• Invest in greener energy yourself - Find what type is suitable for you www.est.org.uk/generateyourown
• Be more energy efficient - Find tips on how to save energy on our Energy Saving Tips webpage
• Loan an electricity monitor kit from our libraries to find out where you can save energy. We currently have monitors available for residents to loan, and will shortly have kits for businesses and community groups to loan as well.

2 - Water

Billions of people worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water. More of our rain is falling in heavy downpours and we will see more in winter, less in summer. Resource efficiency is key for a Green Economy and water is one of our most precious and important resources, so we need to use it wisely...

We can get more water wise today:

• Turn off taps when you are not using them, to save 6 litres / min
• Ensure you do full loads for laundry or dishwashing
• Limit shower time; some powershowers use more water than baths!
• Don't water your lawn after it has rained

Be Water Wise and find more ways to save water on our Water Saving Tips webpage

3 - Buildings
Take charge of your buildings to help support a resource-efficient Green Economy

• Design in sustainable features - See the CLG’s Code for Sustainable Homes Case Studies
• Source low-impact construction & landscaping
• Use your building efficiently - Find tips on our Energy Saving Tips webpage and our Water Saving Tips webpage

4 - Transport

When you choose alternative methods of travel, you support a Green Economy whilst reducing environmental impacts & often saving yourself money...

• Walk when you can - Find local walking routes at www.discover-rutland.co.uk
• Cycle - Find cycle routes at www.rutland.gov.uk/traveladvice
• Use public transport - Find local service informaiton at www.rutland.gov.uk/traveladvice
• Car share and use pool cars - Find car sharers to Oakham & Uppingham at www.travel4rutland.co.uk
• Use lower emission vehicles, drive smoothly & check tyre pressures regularly - Find more ideas on how you can save money and carbon emissions our Transport Saving Tips webpage

5 - Waste

By reducing waste going to landfill, you are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, other environmental impact and supporting a resource-efficient Green Economy.

• Reduce waste - You can find tips on reducing your waste at http://www.rutland.gov.uk/waste_and_recycling/why_reduce.aspx, including finding ways to use up left-over food from the Love Food, Hate Waste campaign website and information on real nappies and how to borrow a kit from Rutland County Council at http://www.rutland.gov.uk/waste_and_recycling/real_nappies.aspx and find tips on composting and buy a subsidised compost bin from as little as £8 from http://www.rutland.getcomposting.com/
• Reuse Items - You can find tips on reusing items to help reduce demand for our natural and man-made materials at http://www.rutland.gov.uk/waste_and_recycling/why_reuse.aspx
• Recycle - You can recycle from your doorstep or business and recycle more items including electronic and white goods at our civic amenity sites - Find information on what you can recycle where and when at www.rutland.gov.uk/waste_and_recycling.aspx

6 - Manufacturing & Industry

When you choose a sustainable product or business instead of a 'business-as-usual,' you send the message to industry & manufacturing that it's time to move towards a Green Economy

Be a wiser consumer & buy from businesses with

• Sustainability plans
• Investments in renewables
• Eco-labels - some examples are:

Supporting greener businesses & homes
Superfast broadband will be available from 2013 for our businesses & homes in Rutland, helping you to reduce your travel costs and increase your efficiency, whilst reducing our carbon emissions and other impacts of travel on our environment. Find out more at www.rutland.gov.uk/digital_rutland.aspx
7 - Tourism
You can help your destinations achieve economic growth without sacrificing environmental well-being and social well-being by supporting ecotourism.

• Find out which businesses support ecotourism before you go
• Buy local - Find out about local food producers and markets at the local tourism information office
• Travel with others to save money and carbon on holiday
• Limit water and energy use - Find tips on our webpages
• Find out how you can limit your impact on sensitive habitats by observing any local requirements and advice, and by following the Countryside Code
• Holiday at Home to save time and travel, as well as money and reducing your impact on our environment - Find out about activities available in Rutland at http://www.discover-rutland.co.uk/

8 - Forestry

By buying certified sustainable forest products, you help to support sustainable livelihoods and communities as well as a healthly ecosystems. When our forests are managed sustainably, we reduce our damage to the environment, our climate and our wildlife, by preventing unsustainable deforestation. Here are some tips to help protect our forests:

• Use certified sustainable forest timber & paper products - Look for the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) logo or the PEFC logo on products
    
Find out more at www.forestry.gov.uk and www.fsc.org

• Use electronic files to reduce the need for paper for printing
• Reuse & recycle - See our tips above on managing your waste more sustainably

9 - Agriculture
Send a message of your support for a Green Economy to producers by buying local, organic, and sustainable food products. Here are a few ways you can reduce the impact of your daily or weekly shop:

• Grow your own veggies - Find tips on growing your own vegetables and ideas for tasty recipes at http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Grow-Your-Own and contact your local town or parish council for information on local allotments.
• Eat in-season to have fresh fruit and vegetables which can be grown in our climate
• Shop local farmers’ markets - Find details on local markets at http://www.discover-rutland.co.uk/food-and-drink/local-produce
• Follow the Rutland Food Trail in the Eat Drink Rutland Guide to find local producers and places to eat out, find more information at http://www.discover-rutland.co.uk/food-and-drink

10 - Fisheries
Overfishing threatens to deplete our future fish stocks & has impacts on other sea life. We can avoid this by choosing sustainably harvested seafood, sending a message of your support of a Green Economy to producers.

Buy sustainably harvested seafood with the Marine
Stewardship Council label and find sustainable products & suppliers at www.msc.org/where-to-buy

Find out more about World Environment Day, events and activities taking place in the UK and around the world and the Green Economy at www.unep.org/wed

Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia - World Environment Day 2012

Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia - World Environment Day 2012

Green Economy: does it include you?

RELATED INFORMATION

• Message from the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova (.pdf)
• Message from UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon (.pdf)

Celebration in the United Nations

Background

Green Economy: does it include you?

There is a clear link between poverty eradication, sustainable development, and better protection and restoration of the environment. Healthy ecosystems generate social, economic and environmental benefits; they are also an essential part of mitigating risks from natural disasters and global change.

Green economies are an important means to achieve what sustainable development ultimately aims at: the wellbeing of people while respecting the environment. Green economies alone are not enough. The complex, multifaceted challenges and risks

  We want a future where we can live in a healthy setting, with strong bonds to nature and a rich diversity of social relations. For this, we need a flourishing environment. We need to create green economies.      

Irina Bokova,
UNESCO Director-General, in her message on the occasion of World Environment Day 2012

ahead call for a response which addresses the social, economic and environmental issues facing the world today in an integrated and comprehensive manner.

It calls for building green societies: fair, equitable and inclusive societies that foster innovative and creative solutions to today’s global challenges. This is UNESCO’s roadmap towards a sustainable world, as the international community prepares for a unique chance to advance the sustainable development agenda during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). 

Building green societies

In order to identify emerging and fast-evolving environmental challenges, green societies need to have the capacity to imagine innovative solutions; the full potential of science needs to be harnessed through the natural and social sciences, technology and innovation capacity development, including at universities and research centres. Scientific evidence and ethical principles should inform behaviours, policy action and governance decisions to strengthen sustainable development agendas.

In science, technology, innovation and engineering, UNESCO is encouraging green solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow. The Organization is leading the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) to provide everyone with the tools and skills to make a difference. We are working to strengthen the interface between science and policy, and actively backing the recently established Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES).

UNESCO designated sites are ideal places for engaging in innovative approaches to conservation and sustainable development. Biosphere Reserves seek to reconcile conservation of biological and cultural diversity, and economic and social development, through partnerships between people and nature. They contribute to the transition to green societies by experimenting with green development options, such as sustainable tourism and training for eco-jobs.

• Key document

  

  
  

  From Green Economies to Green Societies

• Building equitable, inclusive, green societies

  

  UNESCO's contribution to Rio+20

World Environment Day 2012

Join the celebration

• 

  Reduce your carbon footprint and save energy! Turn off the lights when leaving an empty room, use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances.

• 

  Encourage your friends to adopt and plant a tree, or organize a community garden.

• 

  Save water: turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving, take short showers instead of baths, and check for wasteful leaks in your home.

• 

  Green your transportation: carpool, use public transportation or bike.

• 

  Refuse excess packaging, try to re-use and recycle as much as possible. Use cloth bags, reusable cups and silverware, non-plastic bottles...

• 

  Get involved in a neighborhood clean up, and bring your friends to help out too!

  
  
• Participate in the Energy Globe Action Week and calculate how much energy you can save!

Tele-Briefing on Sustainable Energy for All by sustainableenergyforall

On May 30, Reid Detchon, Vice President for Energy and Climate at the UN Foundation, led a conversation on Sustainable Energy for All with Dan Kammen of UC Berkeley, Morgan Bazilian of UNIDO, and Vijay Modi of Columbia University.
The audience included think-tanks, NGOs, academics, and development organizations from the U.S. and Europe, who asked questions of the panel after their opening remarks.


Tele-Briefing on Sustainable Energy for All by sustainableenergyforall