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World Environment Day - June 5:

Be an eco- friend!

Even moment wasted in protecting and keeping the environment clean could cost a life; not merely to the dengue epidemic but also to the numerous natural disasters caused by extreme weather conditions. One of the major factors for global warming (which results in extreme weather ) is environment pollution.

The destruction of nature’s green umbrella , the precious fauna and flora and water resources are also some of the other contributing factors to the global environment crisis which has impacted millions of lives .Today we are reaping the results of our careless actions; pollution of all forms over the years has had a tremendous impact on world environment.

However, many still fail to realise how environment pollution and destruction has posed a serious threat to the very existence of life and the continuity of Mother Earth. So ,it is very important to create an awareness throughout the world about the need to protect and conserve our environment.

 It is in this connection that the United Nations declared a special day to focus on the environment. World Environment Day commemorated every year on June 5 , was first established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment .It is one of the principal vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

 The aim of the day 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.

Every year a theme is selected to focus special attentionon that particular area and this year’s theme for World Environment Day is Green Economy: Does it include you? There are two parts to this theme ; the first tackles the subject of the Green Economy.

However , most find the concept of the Green Economy a little too complex to understand. On the contrary, the Green Economy is really something that is applicable all around you and it is easy to imagine how you fit in it.

The UN Environment Programme ( UNEP) defines a Green Economy as ‘one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.’

Practically speaking, a Green Economy is one whose growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to be catalysed and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes.

But what does all this mean for you? Well,this is essentially what the second part of the theme is all about.If the Green Economy is about social equity and inclusiveness then technically it is all about you! The question therefore asks you to find out more about the Green Economy and assess whether, in your country, you are being included in it.

The host for World Environment Day 2012 is the Federative Republic of Brazil. However ,We in Sri Lanka too can make this day special by carrying out our own activities to create an awareness on the need to protect the natural environment which includes water, air , soil, fauna and flora .

Today Mother Earth is being slowly but surely suffocated by pollution. We have to put an immediate stop to our careless actions if we want to save ourselves and the Planet Earth, the only home we have. What can you do to not only protect the environment but also conserve the valuable natural resources such as water and air on which our very lives depend on? Plenty of course.

So, hurry, draw up a list of things you should and should not do to keep the environment safe, clean and beautiful for generations to come. Even a small act like a promise not to waste a drop of water, pollute the environment by throwing your litter all over the place, destroy plant or animal life goes a long way.

Facks and pix : Internet

My promise . . . .

I am a part of the environment and the environment is a part of me. My life depends on it and protecting it is my duty and responsibility.As the environment is severely threatened with destruction because of our careless actions today I promise to love and respect my environment as much as I do my very life and also those who gave life to me.

I will protect and treasure everything in the environment Mother Earth has given to all humanity. My tiny hands will not be instrumental in destroying even the smallest of plant or animal life.

Not a drop of water will I waste here after to impact the water cycle. Pollution of any form will not be a part of any of my actions .This is my promise to the environment today and always...