On World Environment Day, which is observed on 5 June every year, United Nations General Secretary António Guterres urged everyone to ”cherish the planet that protect us”. In a video message, uploaded on YouTube, Guterres said, “Without a healthy environment we can’t end poverty or build prosperity. We all have a role to play in protecting our only home.”
In the 38-second video clip, Guterres appealed people to use less plastic, drive less and waste less food and asked to reconnect with nature.
Since its inception in 1972, World Environment Day has grown to become a global platform for positive environmental action and is celebrated in more than 100 counties across the world.
World Environment Day is organised around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern. The theme for 2017 is ‘Connecting people to nature’. World Environment Day has a different global host country and this year’s host is Canada, where the official celebration will take place.
“We can enjoy nature year-round, but World Environment Day is when the whole world comes together to celebrate our beautiful planet,” said Erik Solheim, the head of UN Environment. “It reminds us of what a treasure nature is, and encourages us all to protect and appreciate our environment.”
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