The 2012 theme for World Environment Day is Green Economy: Does it include you?

UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.

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 catalyzed and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes.

Rio + 20

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (dubbed Rio+20) will take place in Brazil from 20-22 June 2012. Rio+20, as the name suggests, marks the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. It is envisaged as a Conference at the highest possible level, including Heads of State and Government or other representatives.

The objective of the Conference is to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, and address new and emerging challenges

The Conference will focus on two themes:  a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable development.

Host Country

The host for World Environment Day, 5 June 2012, will be the Federative republic of Brazil. The country also hosted World Environment Day celebrations back in 1992 around the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.  At the time, the summit assembled the largest ever number of global leaders to make important decisions over the wellbeing of the earth and on development issues.

World Environment Day 2012 commemorations are therefore not only symbolic of how big the campaign has grown but also we expect this event to be the largest and most widely celebrated ever.

With a population of more than 200 million, Brazil is the fifth most populous nation in the world after China, India, United States, and Indonesia, in that descending order. It has the fifth largest land mass on the planet, 8.5 million square kilometers, providing home to a largely Roman Catholic population.

Some of the current environmental issues being faced in the country include the illegal deforestation in the Amazon Basin, which is destroying habitat and as well as plant and animal species; wildlife illegal trading; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo; and wetlands degradation. Also of concern to the country however is the growing food insecurity.

World Environment Day this year will help to raise awareness on the serious impacts of carrying on with business as usual. Through engaging governments in action and your spreading the word on the importance of a Green Economy, this collective effort will preserve nature, while achieving growth, and encourage sustainable development.

(Source UNEP)