NAIROBI/ADELAIDE, 5 June 2000 – In an effort to raise environmental awareness and action, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is calling upon individuals and organizations the world over to commemorate World Environment Day on 5 June in a way that will improve people’s quality of life.

 The theme for this year’s World Environment Day, 2000 – The Environment Millennium – Time to Act, is a timely reminder of our role in the preservation of the ecosystem.

“In the last millennium, and particularly in the last century, realizing this role has proved to be a great challenge.  Never in the history of mankind have we done so much, in so little time, to destroy the wonderful ecosystem that sustains us,” says the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan in his World Environment Day message.

“The repercussions of our destructive action will be felt for generations to come. It may take us another millennium to put things right,” says Annan.

 “In our daily lives, it is not always easy to recognize how closely we are interconnected with our fellow human beings.  Increasingly, however, we are recognizing that what connects the street child in Rio, the farmer in Kalimantan, the factory worker in Germany and the stockbroker in New York is the global environment,” says UNEP’s Executive Director, Klaus Toepfer.

“More and more, we are realizing how interdependent we are and that what we do has far reaching ramifications – even if the connections are not immediately obvious.  In fact, the ramifications are already being felt in every corner of the globe,” says Toepfer.  

 “The environmental agenda of the 21^st century should be one that drives environmental improvements to accompany economic and social gains.  In the new millennium, we need global cooperation that promotes sustainable development.  Global agreements that ensure trade and environment policies are mutually supportive must succeed in helping the poorest of the poor in the world.  They must also succeed for the sake of the environment,” explains Toepfer.

  “The global community must implement an integrated approach to environmental management.  This approach must be underpinned by the need to involve the various actors in civil society in the formation and implementation of policy measures,” adds Toepfer.

“I take heart in the growing engagement of people around the world in addressing our pressing environmental needs, especially when I see this engagement spreading to industry and governments.  I am particularly heartened by the fact that young people are becoming more aware and vocal about environmental issues to ensure that the price they pay for our environmental misdeeds will not be too great,” says Toepfer.

The first World Environment Day of the third millennium is indeed special.  For the first time, since the inception of this United Nations day, the main international celebrations will be held in the Pacific region, and more specifically Australia. 

“UNEP is honoured that Australia has generously offered to host this important event in the City of Adelaide.  World Environment Day 2000 gives an unique opportunity to promote people’s participation in caring for the environment, not only in Australia, but throughout the region and around the world,” says Toepfer.

As the host of World Environment Day, Australia and the City of Adelaide are making a concerted effort to promote environmental awareness and action locally, nationally, regionally and internationally by organizing a series of important events.  These include: a meeting on the environment with business leaders; the establishment of a Millennium Tree Park in South Australia; the launching of an environment handbook for industry (5 June); the hosting of the Australian Youth Parliament on the Environment (2-5 June); the organization of a three-day forum on careers in the environment in which thousands of students are expected to participate (2-5 June); clean-up campaigns; tree planting activities in Sydney and Melbourne; the issuance of a report and manual for local governments; the organization of  a national quality monitoring day; and the organization of an environmental parade with water as the theme.  In addition, the world’s largest volunteer organization, Trees for Life, will plant approximately 1.5 million trees around the State of South Australia.

 The main event in Australia will be held on 4 June and will culminate with the presentation of UNEP’s Global 500 award to14 individuals and organizations from 13 countries who have made outstanding contributions to the protection of the environment.

 “These ‘silent heroes’ are members of a broad and growing environmental movement that is flourishing around the world.  They have taken the path that most of us hesitate to take for want of time or caring,” says Toepfer.  “In honouring the Global 500 laureates, UNEP hopes that others will be inspired by their extraordinary deeds”.

 “On this World Environment Day, and in this United Nations International Year for the Culture of Peace, let us reverse the trend of violence against nature and our fellow human beings.  Otherwise, we may not have another thousand years to correct our mistakes,” says Annan.

 Note to Editors

 World Environment Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972  and considered by many to be the most important event on the environmental calendar, inspires action by governments, individuals, non-governmental organizations, community and youth groups, business, industry and the media to improve their environment, including clean-up campaigns, tree planting, street rallies, exhibitions, green concerts, essay, painting and photographic competitions, recycling efforts and much more.

 The day is an excellent occasion to make more serious pledges leading to the establishment of permanent structures that deal with environmental management and economic planning.  It also provides an opportunity for governments to take steps to sign or ratify international treaties and conventions.

World Environment Day is also a multi-media event, which inspires thousands of journalists and broadcasters to report on the environment and publicize how we can change our behavior.  It is a visual event with television documentaries, photo and art exhibits and poster displays.  It is an intellectual event for those who organize and participate in green seminars, round-table meetings and symposia.

 Note to journalists.  For more information contact: Tore J. Brevik, UNEP Spokesman and Director, Communications and Public Information, UNEP, P. O. Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya, tel: +254-2-623292, fax: +254-2-623692, email: tore.brevik@unep.org or Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, Coordinator, Special Events, Tel: (254-2) 62 3401: E-mail: cpiinfo@uneporg.

 For background information on the day and how it can be celebrated, interested individuals and organizations can visit the World Environment Day web site at www.unep.org/wed.

 For activities in Australia, contact: Eleanor Dean, Senior Public Relations Officer, Department of the Environment and Heritage, Environment Australia, Tel: (612) 6274-1817; Fax: (612) 6274-1680; E-mail: eleanor.dean@ea.gov.au.

 For activities in Sydney, contact: Angelique Douehi, National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre, P.O. Box 4045, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia, Tel: (612) 9262-5111, Fax: (612) 9262-5886, E-mail: angeliqued@ozemail.com.au.  

 Mr. Toepfer will hold a media briefing with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association at the International Media Centre in Sydney at 11.00 on Friday 2 June.  He will also hold a press conference at 11.45 on Sunday 4 June in Adelaide (contact Tore Brevik at the Stamford Plaza Hotel, Adelaide, on tel: +61-8-8461-1111, fax: +61-8-8231-7572).

INTERNATIONAL WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CELEBRATIONS TO BE HELD IN ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA