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5 June is World Environment Day - 'Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change'

New York / Nairobi / Mexico City / Bonn, 5 June 2009 - Commemorated yearly on 5 June, World Environment Day (WED) is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

The theme for WED 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change'. It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests.

World Environment Day (WED) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. The aim of WED is to:

  • Give a human face to environmental issues;
  • Empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development;
  • Promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues;
  • Advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

For more information and to learn how you can participate, please visit the central WED campaign website: www.unep.org/wed/2009/



UNEP Press launch on 5 June in Bonn to mark WED

UNEP Press launch at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Bonn Climate Change Talks - 5 June 2009

WHEN: 11.30am – 12 noon, Friday 5 June 2009

WHERE: Reger Room, Hotel Maritim, Bonn

PRESS RELEASE: Investing in Carbon Capture and Storage Nature’s Way - Time to Give Forests, Mangroves, Peatlands and Climate-Friendly Agriculture a Bigger Role in Combating Climate Change

Mexico City/ Nairobi/ Bonn 5 June 2009 – Boosting investments in the conservation, rehabilitation and management of the Earth’s forests, peatlands, soils and other key ecosystems could deliver significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and avoid even more being released to the atmosphere, a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) says.

  • UNEP Press Release (Strict Embargo: Not for Publication or broadcast until after 00.30am GMT on 5 June 2009)

"Seal the Deal!" - UN Campaign calls for action to combat climate change

In the context of World Environment Day (WED) the United Nations is also leading a powerful new outreach campaign to encourage governments to reach a definitive agreement on climate change in Copenhagen from 7 to 18 December 2009. Titled "Seal the Deal!", the campaign is designed to mobilize political leaders, the business sector and civil society – including NGOs, community environment groups, youth and faith organizations – on a global scale to apply pressure for action to combat climate change.

The Seal the Deal! campaign provides a framework for global advocacy on climate change in 2009 and will include a series of special events and online activities which will build momentum in the lead-up to the crucial UN climate convention (UNFCCC) meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark later this year.

For more information and to learn how you can participate, please visit the central campaign website: www.sealthedeal2009.org