UN Launches World Environment Day 2016 Theme ‘Go Wild for Life’ – Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife Trade

As humanity moves toward the 21st century, we are left with no choice but to redefine the values and principles that underlie our relationship with the Earth. Clearly, a new approach is required.   

World Environment Day was inaugurated in 1972 pursuant to a United Nations General Assembly resolution passed during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. Since then the UN has focused on the promotion of the environment and organizing international cooperation to help protect our natural surroundings.    

Indian PM Mr. Narendra Modi on World Environment Day (Image credit: Twitter)  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for protection of the environment and said conservation of water and forests were people’s responsibility, said during his 21st radio address “Mann Ki Baat.  

He asked the nation on Sunday to take a pledge to collectively work towards conserving the environment resources, adding that the Earth should be kept clean and green.  

World environment day is also known as the Environment Day, Eco Day or short form WED. It has been one of the great annual events for years which is being celebrated worldwide by the people aiming to protect the unique and life nurturing Nature on every 5th June.  

Image source: Climate Council  

Every year celebration is planned according to the particular theme and slogan of the year to bring effectiveness in the campaign all through the world. This year’s theme for WED – Go Wild for Life – encourages you to celebrate all those species under threat and take action of your own to help safeguard them for future generations.   

The United Nations (UN) calls for a worldwide campaign to take strong action to curb the illegal trade of wildlife products that are threatening the biodiversity of our home planet.  

Angola has hosted this year’s World Environment Day celebrations, a country seeking to restore its elephant herds, conserve Africa’s biodiversity-rich wildlife, and safeguard the environment as it continues to rebuild after more than a quarter-century of civil war.  

Images credit: Sudarsan Pattnaik ‏  

“On this World Environment Day, I urge people and governments everywhere to overcome indifference, combat greed, and act to preserve our natural heritage for the benefit of this and future generations.” — UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.  

UN is encouraging everyone to come forward and take action to protect species that are under threat so that our future generations will also learn the values of preserving wildlife and become socially responsible.   

In many countries, this annual event is used to enhance political attention and action. Heads of state, prime ministers, and ministers of the environment deliver statements and commit themselves to care for the Earth.   

More serious pledges are made which lead to the establishment of permanent governmental structures dealing with environmental management and economic planning. This observance also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions.   

It’s very important to improve the health and well-being of our families everywhere. To fulfill this goal, we must protect the environments in which we work and live. A healthy planet and a healthy community go hand in hand.  

Let’s pledge for saving the wild life and our Environment on this World Environment Day 2016!   Thank you.