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10 Sectors for a Greener Planet
1. Buildings Construction has consequences - let's construct a better world! • Construction and buildings take a large toll on global resources and climate. • A home or business energy audit can reduce your building's climate footprint and lead to significant savings in energy costs. • If building or renovating, reduce your impact by using low-impact construc- tion and landscape businesses and products. • Take charge of the buildings in your life. 2. Fisheries Seafood is delicious and healthy - but depleting our fish stocks isn't! • Overfishing in many parts of the world threatens to deplete future fish stocks. We can avoid this by working now to promote sustainable fishing practices. • Check labels and buy seafood products that have been harvested sustainably. • By choosing sustainably harvested seafood, you send a message to producers that you support a Green Economy for fisheries. • greenworks.co.za/sassipage.html 3. Forestry Forests support livelihoods, societies and cultures, our climate, and a plethora of wildlife and ecosystems. • Deforestation accounts for close to 20% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. • Sustainably managed forests can continue to support communities and eco- systems without damaging environment and climate. • Use electronic files to reduce your demand for paper products. • Look for timber and paper products that come from certified sustainable forests. • When you support certified sustainable forest products, you support a healthy environment and sustainable livelihoods. • greenworks.co.za/plantatreepage.html 4. Transport Congestion, pollution, traffic accidents . . . there's a better way! • Riding alone in your car isn't environmentally and economically efficient. • Carpooling/lift schemes or taking public transport reduces environmental impact and economic costs while strengthening community. • Walking or riding a bike for short trips is good for your health - and the environment too! • When you choose alternative transportation methods, you support a Green Economy in the transport sector. • greenworks.co.za/reducetransportpage.html 5. Water Use water wisely! • Billions of people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water or im- proved sanitation services. • Taking steps towards wise water use can help conserve this precious resource. • Turn off the tap when you're not using it, wait until you have a full load to run your washing machine or dishwasher, limit shower time, lessen cistern volume. • Resource efficiency is key to a Green Economy and water is one of our most important resources. • greenworks.co.za/reducepage.html 6. Agriculture Use your consumer power to support local, organic and sustainable agriculture! • As populations grow it is crucial to support sustainable agriculture to ensure our ability to feed everyone. • Grow your own veggies, eat in-season, and shop local farmers' markets. • When you buy local, organic, and sustainable food products, you send a message to producers that you support a Green Economy for agriculture. • greenworks.co.za/reducefoodwastepage.html • greenworks.co.za/reducepackagingpage.html 7. Energy Supply Our lifestyles demand energy, but is the demand too great on our resources? • The current mainstream energy sources - oil, coal, gas - are not only harmful to health and environment, they're not sustainable in a world of growing energy needs. • You can support the development of clean, renewable energy by choosing businesses and products that invest in them - or by investing in them yourself. • While we work towards a transition to renewable energy, consider ways to improve your personal energy efficiency. Turn off lights and unplug appliances when you aren't using them. Don't heat or air-condition your house when no one's home. • You can help build a Green Economy by supporting clean, sustainable energy sources and becoming a model of energy efficiency. • greenworks.co.za/reduceelectricitypage.html 8. Tourism Tread lightly on your travel destinations. • Tourism can be great for local economies, but not if it results in negative environmental and social impacts. • The same principles apply to supporting a Green Economy both at home and afar: buy local, travel with others, limit water and energy use, etc. • Know before you go: What hotels and travel agencies support ecotourism? How can I limit my impact on sensitive habitats? • When you support ecotourism, you help the communities in your travel destinations achieve economic growth without sacrificing environmental and social well-being. 9. Waste If everything you buy becomes waste, where will we put it all? • "There is no 'away' when you throw things 'away'. It goes somewhere. • Throwing something away means losing the chance to reuse materials and can contribute to methane emissions from landfills. • Electronics in particular are only recycled at a rate of 15% globally. • Recycling appropriate materials and composting food waste reduces the impact of landfills as well as the demand on our natural resources to produce more materials. • Learn about recycling opportunities in your community and support a more resource-efficient Green Economy. • greenworks.co.za/recyclepage.html • greenworks.co.za/watchyourwastepage.html 10. Manufacturing and Industry It's no secret that industry and manufacturing have been rough on the en- vironment - but things can change, and you can help! • Industry and manufacturing drive employment and economic growth in many countries. • Be a wise consumer - support businesses that have sustainability plans, use ecolabels, and invest in renewable energy. • Greenwashing is everywhere! But many companies are sincerely commit- ted to achieving sustainability. Do your homework and ask questions. • When you choose a sustainable business over a 'business-as-usual,' you send the message that it's time for industry and manufacturing to transition to a Green Economy. |
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World
Environment Day Theme for 2012 .................................................... World Environment Day .................................................... Green Economy: Does it include you? .................................................... 10 Sectors for a Greener Planet .................................................... 40th Anniversary .................................................... More on World Environment Day .................................................... Why Celebrate World Environment Day .................................................... Celebrate World Environment Day ................................................... WED Celebration Alphabet .................................................... Past Themes .................................................... Carbon Calculator .................................................... Campaigns .................................................... World Oceans Day .................................................... Home .................................................... Reduce .................................................... Reuse .................................................... About Greenworks .................................................... Recycle .................................................... Respect & Responsibility .................................................... Global Warming .................................................... Green Tip of the Week .................................................... Watch Your Waste .................................................... Compost .................................................... Get SASSI .................................................... Litter .................................................... Products .................................................... Contact Us .................................................... Daily Checklist .................................................... Your Carbon Footprint .................................................... Environmental Calendar .................................................... Office Greening .................................................... Landfills .................................................... Plant a Tree for Life .................................................... Campaigns .................................................... Earth Hour .................................................... Earth Day .................................................... World Environment Day .................................................... World Ocean Day .................................................... Arbor Day .................................................... Christmas .................................................... |
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The theme for WED 2012 is Green Economy: Does it include you?
2012 is the 40th anniversary of World Environment Day. The anniversary theme is 1972-2012 Serving the People and the Planet |
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"Although individual decisions may seem small in the face
of global threats and trends, when billions of people join forces in common purpose, we can make a tremendous difference." UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon |
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World Environment Day is celebrated around the world in many ways, including street rallies, bicycle
parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, recycling efforts, clean-up campaigns and much more. Take a step in the green direction. • Set green goals. • Pledge to make a greening difference in your home, school or office. • Select a number of steps you can take to walk on in your home to save resources. • Commit for a week then a month and then long term. Changing habits always takes an initial adjustment but then they become a way of life. • Take action. • Wear a green ribbon. • Wear green clothing - both in colour and product. • Find out more about the environment and what you can do to make a difference. • Hold an environmentally friendly event to spread the message. • Change your lightbulbs. • Give up plastic shopping bags. Use reusable bags. • Set up a recycling programme at home or the office. Check your local municipality's website for recycling drop off points. • Buy green products instead of others. • Organise a community or school clean-up (liaise with your local municipality in advance to arrange for collection if there are a lot of extra bags). • Clean out the storm water drain in your street (litter is a huge problem that gets into storm water drains). • Make a donation to an environmental or conservation organisation. • Plant a tree or indigenous plants. • Take a walk in an environmentally friendly area and enjoy being outdoors. • Select ways to reduce your electricity consumption. • Explore the option of a solar water heater. • Select ways to reduce your water consumption. • Explore putting a water tank in your garden or flow regulators in your taps. • Turn the pressure tap down. • Commit to only eating seafood from the Green List • Be aware of your waste - How much stuff do you throw away - How much can be recycled - How much food is wasted (see food saving suggestions) • Create an email that you send to friends and colleagues informing them of your commitment and encourage them to do so too. • Create a communal "pledge board" where people can write their environmental pledge for the year e.g."I will turn off the lights when I leave the room", "I will turn off the water while shaving or brushing my teeth". • Create a poster with your class or your children. • Create a mural at a school or community centre to encourage environmental awareness. • Prepare a vegetarian/vegan meal instead of a meat meal. • Prepare meals using organic foods. • Prepare only enough food so nothing goes to waste. • Create your own compost. • Write a World Environment Day article for your local newspaper, or for your business/community newsletter. • If you are planning on building or doing a renovation, then build an environmentally friendly house or kitchen or bathroom. • Create a community food garden. • Create your own vegetable and herb garden. |
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Click here to view
The World Environment Day Alphabet for Ways to Celebrate |
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Year
2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 |
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United Nations Environment Program Theme
(UNEP) Green Economy: Does it include you? Forests : Nature at Your Service Many Species. One Planet. One Future Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change. CO2, Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy Melting Ice - a Hot Topic? Deserts and Desertification - Don't Desert Drylands! Green Cities - Plan for the Planet! Wanted! Seas and Oceans - Dead or Alive? Water - Two Billion People are Dying for It! Give Earth a Chance Connect with the World Wide Web of Life The Environment Millennium - Time to Act Our Earth - Our Future - Just Save It! For Life on Earth - Save Our Seas For Life on Earth Our Earth, Our Habitat, Our Home We the Peoples: United for the Global Environment One Earth One Family Poverty and the Environment - Breaking the Vicious Circle Only One Earth, Care and Share Climate Change. Need for Global Partnership Children and the Environment Global Warming; Global Warning When People Put the Environment First, Development Will Last Environment and Shelter: More Than A Roof A Tree for Peace Youth: Population and the Environment Desertification Managing and Disposing Hazardous Waste: Acid Rain and Energy Ten Years After Stockholm (Renewal of Environmental Concerns) Ground Water; Toxic Chemicals in Human Food Chains A New Challenge for the New Decade: Development Without Destruction Only One Future for Our Children - Development Without Destruction Development Without Destruction Ozone Layer Environmental Concern; Lands Loss and Soil Degradation Water: Vital Resource for Life Human Settlements Only one Earth |
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South African Environmental Day
Theme (Dept of Environment) SA Act Now to Combat Climate Change All Hands on Deck: Towards a Low Carbon Economy Climate Change: Today's Action - Shaping Tomorrow's Environment. An Age of Hope in a Protected Environment Our Environment Belongs To All Who Live In It A Decade of Sustainability - Our Environment, Our Future My Environment, My Life Clean Up South Africa for a Better Life The Environment Millennium - Time To Act |
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10 Sectors for a
Greener Planet |
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Celebrate World
Environment Day Take Action Now |
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Carbon Calculator
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Speak up for the ocean! The ocean has been characterised as an infinite and unchanging entity which
cannot be harmed by humans. This myth needs to be dispelled so we can keep the ocean healthy. |
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TAKE A STEP IN THE GREEN DIRECTION BECAUSE GOING GREEN WORKS!
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WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
05 JUNE |
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Click Here
& Register Your WED Activity |
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National Environment Week
3 - 8 June |
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National Environment Week has
become an annual feature on the South African calendar, with a range of activities scheduled countrywide, at a national and provincial level. |
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5 June is designated as World Environment Day by the
United Nations General Assembly to deepen public awareness of the need to preserve and enhance the environment. World Environment Day (WED) is probably the most celebrated of all the environmental awareness days, and it is a day to acknowledge the achievements made to protect the environment. It is also a day to commit to new greening actions. WED aims to personalise environmental issues - so that world citizens realise that it is our responsibility to take care of the environment, and become actively involved in making lifestyle choices and changes to support sustainable and equitable development. Building a cleaner, greener world for ourselves and future gene- rations is integral to World Environment Day, and should be inte- gral to our everyday. It's easy to blame others for the effects of global warming and climate change, and damage to the environment. We can blame governments for not making environmental policy a priority; businesses for increasing greenhouse gas emissions; and others for not taking responsibility and not taking necessary action. However the responsibility lies with each one of us as individuals to take action. In celebrating WED each of our individual actions can collectively become an exponential force for constructive and positive change. |
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2012 has also been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for
All. World Environment Day this year will complement this global concern with the official tagline - Green Economy: Does it include you? Linking World Environment Day to the Green Economy however should not limit or stop you from celebrating your other environmental achievements. After all, every positive environmental action has an impact, and part of the fun is finding creative ways to link your activity to the Green Economy - and there are many. |
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40th Anniversary
The 2012 World Environment Day theme is Green Economy: Does it include you? 2012 is also the 40th anniversary for World Environment Day, since the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1972. In this significant year for the environment and sustainable development, the world leaders will once again meet at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development twenty years after the historic Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, 1992. Dubbed Rio+20, one of the main themes of this Summit is "a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication". The Green Economy touches almost every aspect of our lives and concerns our development. It is about sustainable energy, green jobs, low carbon economies, green policies, green buildings, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, industry, energy efficiency, sustainable tourism, sustainable transport, waste management, water efficiency and all other resource efficiency. These are all elements involved in the successful implementation of a green economy. |
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More about World Environment Day and Week
The United Nations General Assembly designated 5 June as World Environment Day to deepen public awareness of the need to preserve and enhance the environment. World Environment Day is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. It aims to • to give a human face to environmental issues • empower people to become active participants in sustainable and equitable development • promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environ- mental issues • advocate partnership, which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future During World Environment week Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment pledge their commitment to establishing permanent governmental structures to deal with environmental management and economic planning. This observance also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions. World Environment Day was established by the General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). World Environment Day is hosted every year by a different country and is commemorated with an international exposition during the week of 5 June. (World Environment Week) World Environment Day thematic celebrations have in the past included caring for the earth and water, the ozone layer, climate change, desertification and sustainable development, to mention a few. This year's host is Brazil. South Africa was the host in 1995. Why Celebrate World Environment Day? When we see or experience the negative effects of climate change and environmental degradation, it is easy to blame others - governments for not prioritizing environmental policy; corporate organi- zations for raising greenhouse gas emissions; NGOs for not lobbying strongly enough for the environment; and individuals for not taking action. World Environment Day however is a day we put aside our differences and instead celebrate the achievements we've made towards protecting the environment. By celebrating World Environment Day, we remind ourselves and others of the importance of caring for our environment. Remember that every action counts, so join us: every year, everywhere, everyone! You may think you don't know where to begin, but by reading this, you have already begun! • Click here for ways to Celebrate World Environment Day • Calculate your Carbon Footprint • Plant a Tree for Life |
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CELEBRATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
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