Title Photo Courtesy of Russ Smith
Today, on June 5, environmental leaders and United Nations (UN) officials are coming together in Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Why are they meeting? They are gathering for the global commemoration of World Environment Day.
World Environment Day is a global day to increase awareness and action regarding environmental protection. The UN established it in 1972, with the first event in Stockholm, Sweden. This meeting of countries was the first world environmental conference, and it also included many activists and nongovernmental organizations. Several principles were adopted, including the Stockholm Declaration and Action Plan for the Human Environment. The meeting also led to the creation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
This year’s commemoration takes place in the Republic of Azerbaijan, a beautiful place to celebrate with an amazing biodiversity of flora and fauna across several different ecosystems. With over 4,500 species of plants, 25,000 species of invertebrates, and more from Europe, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean, it is no wonder that the World Wildlife Fund identifies this region as one of the most biodiverse!
Each year, the day highlights a new theme centered on protecting the environment and its resources for generations to come, with past themes including water, the ozone layer, poverty, and pollution. This year’s theme is climate action and asks that people listen to “the urgent signals the Earth is sending and the signals we choose to send back.”
People all over the world are getting involved. There are plenty of ways to participate, including a fun limbo dance challenge, which aims to see how low we can go – both in limbo and in emissions. This year, the Conservancy celebrated World Environment Day by partnering with Deloitte on its annual Impact Day. Over 100 members of their team joined us in the park for mulching, trash clean-up, and weeding. Thanks to their support, we are making a positive impact on the health of the park we all love.
Want to make a difference for the environment? You don’t have to wait for World Environment Day to come around again! The Conservancy offers volunteer opportunities and events year-round that will allow you to learn more about the natural world and make an impact in the park.
Happy World Environment Day!
