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 organizations 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.

World Environment Day (WED) was established by the United Nations General Assembly to mark the opening of the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.

Celebrating WED is about the inspirational power of individual actions that collectively become an exponential force for positive change.

By celebrating WED, 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!

2011 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Forests. World Environment Day this year will reinforce this global concern with the official tagline - Forests: Nature at Your Service (森林: 大自然为您效劳).

Did you know? 你知道吗？

Forests cover 31% of total land area.
森林覆盖着31%的陆地面积。

The livelihoods of 1.6 billion people depend on forests.
16亿人民的生计依赖于森林。

Forests provide a home to more than 300 million people worldwide.
森林是全世界3亿多人口的家园。

The total global trade in forest products was valued at around $379 billion in 2005.
2005年，全球森林产品的总贸易额大约为3790亿美元。

Forests are home to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity.
森林是80%陆生生物的家园。

(source: www.unep.org)

How to celebrate WED? 如何庆祝？

- Have a vegetarian meal with your own re-usable chopsticks;
(带上自己的筷子，吃顿素)

- Watch a movie or documentary on environment, such as Home, An Inconvenient Truth;
(看一部环保电影，如《家园》或《不可忽视的真相》)

- Turn off the lights for one hour;
(关灯一小时)

- Use public transportation instead of car to go outing into Nature;
(使用公共交通去郊游)

- Plant a tree to offset your carbon footprint, more at www.mtpchina.org;
(种一棵树来抵消你的碳足迹,详见www.mtpchina.org )

- Hug your friends and say "Happy WED!";
(拥抱你的朋友，祝我们环境日快乐！)

热爱环保的各界博友！加入绿化环境 保护地球,联创未来的美丽家圆,

郑陈金环保工作室 圈 http://t.cn/hf5Ef