Yukie Hori, PhD Coordinator Awareness Raising, Communication and Education Unit United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) – www.unccd.int
Healthy soil sustains your life: LET’S GO LAND-DEGRADATION NEUTRAL
The World Day to Combat Desertification is observed every year on 17 June. This year, the Day’s slogan is Healthy soil sustains your life: LET’S GO LAND-DEGRADATION NEUTRAL, said the Executive Secretary, Luc Gnacadja, when he announced the news to the press on 17 February 2012.
The world’s most significant non-renewable resource is fertile soil, which is the peel of productive land. Nevertheless, each year 12 million ha of land, the area three times the size of Switzerland, are lost due to desertification. Land degradation directly affects 1.5 billion people globally.
Record Number of Aquariums, Zoos, and Museums to Host Celebrations for World Oceans Day on June 8th
On June 8th communities around the globe will celebrate World Oceans Day as an opportunity to learn more about our ocean and take action to help conserve it. This year the celebration is bigger than ever with hundreds of family-friendly events at aquariums, zoos, museums, exciting online events, and strong prospects for a new youth movement to protect the ocean!
"A record number of aquariums, zoos, and museums are providing ways on World Oceans Day for their visitors to get inspired and take personal action to help our world’s ocean," said Bill Mott, director of The Ocean Project. World Oceans Day provides an opportunity for people across the country and around the world to celebrate our ocean connections, do more for ocean conservation, and learn more about our ocean!"
World Oceans Day coordinator, Alyssa Isakower, commented, “The worldwide response has been more enthusiastic than ever. June 8th provides a chance for the world to rally for a generation of ocean advocates who go beyond raising awareness and take real action for ocean protection.”
Lucita Jasmin Division of Communications and Public Information United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – www.unep.org
The 2012 theme for World Environment Day is Green Economy: Does it include you? Evidently, there are two parts to this theme and the first tackles the subject of the Green Economy. This is where some people shut off their minds because they find the concept of the Green Economy a little too complex to understand.
The UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.
Natalie Epler Associate Information Management Officer UNEP/CMS – www.cms.int
Migratory Birds and People – Together through Time
World Migratory Bird Day 2012 (12-13 May 2012) celebrates the continuing relationship between migratory birds and people. The relationship between birds and people has always been a special one, and the closer one looks at these valuable associations, the greater these connections seem to become. Throughout time and across cultures humans have relied on birds, be it to supply food, to deliver messages, or to serve as symbols of power and prestige.
The United Nations proclaimed 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity to promote a greater understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
Another simple way to join the campaign is by inviting your family and friends to become friends of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 on FACEBOOK. It will be one more way to reach as many people as possible.
Bryan Buchanan Communications Director Earth Day Network – www.earthday.org
On April 22, more than one billion people around the globe will participate in Earth Day 2012 and help Mobilize the Earth™. People of all nationalities and backgrounds will voice their appreciation for the planet and demand its protection. Together they will stand united for a sustainable future and call upon individuals, organizations, and governments to do their part.
As the 42 Anniversary of Earth Day approaches, people are becoming frustrated with the failure of governments to take any steps toward protecting and preserving the environment. The Earth Day 2012 campaign is designed to provide people with the opportunity to unite their voices in a call for a sustainable future and direct them toward quantifiable outcomes, using vehicles such as petitions, the Billion Acts of Green® campaign, and events.
