World Environment Day is observed every year on June 5 to raise global awareness and take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth. It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The theme for this year’s World Environment Day is “Go Wild for Life - Zero tolerance for the illegal wildlife trade”.
According to UNEP: “Booming illegal trade in wildlife products is constantly eroding Earth’s biodiversity, robbing us of our natural heritage and driving whole species to the brink of extinction. The killing and smuggling is also undermining economies and ecosystems, fuelling organized crime, and feeding corruption and insecurity across the globe.”
#EnvironmentDay - Wildlife crime endangers iconic elephants, rhinos, tigers, gorillas and sea turtles. This year’s theme encourages people to celebrate all species under threat and take action to help safeguard them for future generations. The UNEP official website said: “... many local extinctions will eventually add up to a global extinction! Whoever you are, and wherever you live, show zero-tolerance for the illegal trade in wildlife in word and deed, and make a difference.”
Organisations like The Wilderness Society shared photo galleries on Facebook to raise awareness. They wrote: “... it’s important to remember that our extraordinary natural environment provides us with the fresh air, clean water and fertile soils —something we should never take for granted. Despite this, some of our most precious places are under threat from a range of issues such as the destruction of habitat, winding back of the laws that protect nature, and perhaps our most formidable threat, climate change.”
The Wilderness Society: “The Fairy [leadbeater’s] Possum. Learn more about this critically endangered animal and our work to protect its forest home in Victoria’s Central Highlands.”
WWF: “Poaching is at critical levels worldwide. It is a highly organised and professional business. To stop it, anti-poaching must be the same. This World Environment Day, support #zeropoaching.”
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP: “On World Environment Day, check out our photo blog about saving the Saiga, a rare antelope found only in Russia and Kazakhstan. Last year, we reported these unique animals were dying in masses? Scientists figured out a bacteria was causing this. #WED2016 #WildforLife#GlobalGoals
Greenpeace International wrote: “From the Arctic to people taking action across the world, here are a few reminders of how beautiful our fragile planet is.”
7 May 2016: Greenpeace activists and volunteers take part in a national demonstration against TTIP in Rome. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is the controversial proposed trade deal between the EU and the US economies.”
14 May 2016: 88,200 gallons of oil from the Shell Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico in May this year.
- Compiled by Evangeline Elsa/
Community Solutions Editor
