People around the world would unite for the planet on June 5 for the World Environment Day 2009, with a strong call for environmental action just six months before the crucial United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen.
This year's theme is 'Your planet needs you! Unite to combat climate change', a topic that reflects everyone's individual responsibility to protect the planet, as well as the urgency for nations to agree on a new climate change deal in December. Mexico would host the World Environment Day.
Like other countries, Pakistan would also mark the day by holding seminars and walk by various educational institutions, NGOs and organisations. Also, on the occasion, the Ministry of Environment has announced Green Journalist Award for the working journalists to encourage them to play active role for raising awareness on environmental issues and to promote healthy competition among them for raising awareness on environmental issues. In the provincial capital, both the Institute of Engineers and Pakistan Engineering Congress would hold seminars, in which environment experts would deliberate on environmental issues confronting the country.
In its message, the WorldWide Funds for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) observed that climate change is one of the most critical global challenges. It said geophysical features and location of Pakistan make it more vulnerable to the devastating impacts of global warming, such as micro-climatic changes, increased cyclones, droughts, sea water intrusion, heavy rains and glacial melts. "Apart from these, climate change has such destructive impacts on the human livelihood that may take us by surprise," It added.
The WWF-P strongly believes that Pakistan urgently needs to prepare for the impacts of climate change on freshwater resources and to develop mitigation and adaptation plans by building the institutional capacity to address climate change and water security at the provincial and district (local) level, looking at both maintaining the flow of the Indus and adaptation in particularly vulnerable sites in Pakistan. Addressing climate change in Pakistan will also mean enabling people in particular the most vulnerable and poor, to adapt to changes in water availability, it added.
It is a day to reflect on our commitment towards our environment that is deteriorating at an alarming pace, but it seems that our policy makers are not serious on the matter. It is unfortunate note that this year the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) has planned no activities to observe the day. A whole department exits under its umbrella, but it has shown indifferent attitude towards it. Such attitude prevails at all strata of government working.
They need to realise that environment is the only element that sustains life on the planet and without healthy environment there would no healthy people walking on earth. Hence, they need to give due to priority to the subject and show utmost commitment, at all cost, in taking stern steps to stop further deterioration of our air, water, climate and biodiversity.
Another highlight of this year's World Environment Day is the launch of the Climate Heroes project. This UNEP initiative supports individuals who are undertaking exceptional personal feats, high-profile expeditions, and other acts of environmental activism to demonstrate their commitment and to raise awareness for the simple idea that 'Your planet needs you'.
The World Environment Day commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates WorldWide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The day was originally set up by United Nations General Assembly in 1972 in an effort to stimulate public awareness towards the environment.
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