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 World Environment
Day theme selected for 2004 is Wanted! Seas
and Oceans – Dead or Alive? The theme
asks that we make a choice as to how we want to treat the Earth’s
seas and oceans. It also calls on each and every one of us to act. Do
we want to keep seas and oceans healthy and alive or polluted and dead?
The
main international celebrations of the World Environment Day 2004 will
be held in Barcelona, Spain in close collaboration with the Universal
Forum of Cultures. UNEP is honoured that the City of Barcelona,
the Catalan Regional Government and the Government of Spain will be
hosting this important United Nations day.
Our agenda 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; and advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples
enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. World Environment Day is a
people's event with colourful activities such as street rallies, bicycle
parades, green concerts, essays and poster competitions in schools,
tree planting, as well as recycling and clean-up campaigns.
