Have you been meaning to start buying organic, to turn off your lights, or to start recycling but just haven't gotten around to it? Now's the time! This weekend, citizens of every nation will join together to celebrate World Environment Day.
India will host the 39th annual World Environment Day (WED) on June 5, an international event aimed at global awareness that encourages political action and attention to initiatives.
The UN declared 2011 the International Year of Forests with this year's WED theme "Forests: Nature at your Service." In an effort to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and maintainable development of all types of forests, WED aims to develop green economies, conserve forests and insure that they will be around for generations to come.
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India's 1.2 billion people have put a significant strain on the country's forests, but the Indian government has continually worked to find solutions to combat the deforestation. They have successfully introduced projects that track the health of the nation's plants, animals, water and other natural resources, including the Sunderbans - the largest deltaic mangrove forest in the world.
This Sunday, June 5th, India will join together millions of people from hundreds of countries around the world to highlight environmental activities that can teach individuals, schools, communities, states and nations to clean up their act and start thinking green.
Beginning today, major events are planned in New Delhi and Bangalore and include a "Public Dedication of Tree Plantation to India for WED Legacy" in Juanapur, Mehrauli, Delhi. A Biodiversity Film Festival in New Delhi will showcase some of India's best environmental and reforestation efforts, and viewers will have a chance to speak with environmental experts after the screenings.
25,000 runners will flood the streets of Bangalore on June 5th in the World 10K in support of WED. After the race, organizers and participants will inaugurate a 'World 10K Forest' at the Madiwala Lake complex in Bangaluru.
An organic and forest food celebrity cookout at the ITC Windsor Hotel in Bangaluru with goodwill ambassadors Gisele Bundchen, Don Cheadle, Bollywood's Priyanka Chopra and Rahul Bose, as well as Chinese actress Li Bingbing and entrepreneur Wang Shi, will highlight the stars' efforts for conservation. For every WED activity registered, you can pledge to Don or Gisele, Priyanka or Rahul, Li Bingbing or Wang Shi, depending on your location. For every pledged activity, the women will donate one tree. Not to be rivaled, the men will donate two.
If you, your business, school, group or town want to get involved in WED you can register your green initiatives or pledge an action at http://www.unep.org/wed/aroundtheworld/
