To focus public attention and increase public awareness on particular issues, the United Nations and States have designated specific days during the year as Environmental “Holidays.” Some of these include:
- February 2: Wetlands Day
- March 21: World Forestry Day
- March 22: World Water Day
- March 23: World Meteorological Day
- April 18: World Heritage Day
- April 22: Earth Day
- May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity
- June 5: World Environment Day
- June 17: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
- July 11: World Population Day
- September 16: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (World Ozone Day)
- September 28: Green Consumer Day
- October 1-7: World Wildlife Week
In addition, many States have designated various national environmental holidays (such as Arbor Day in the United States).
Such environmental days often provide a focus for awareness raising and educational campaign organized by Government agencies, NGOs, primary and secondary schools, and other institutions. Moreover, States sometimes organize broader events around a particular day; for example, Suriname has observed a Green Week around the time of the World Environment Day.
Experience suggests that the media may be more receptive to the environmental message when it is framed in the context of one of the internationally designated environmental days.