Man is both creature and moulder of his environment, which gives him physical sustenance and affords him the opportunity for intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth. In the long and tortuous evolution of the human race on this planet a stage has been reached when, through the rapid acceleration of science and technology, man has acquired the power to transform his environment in countless ways and on an unprecedented scale.
The United Nations, aware that the protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue, which affects the well-being of peoples and economic development throughout the world, designated 5 June as the World Environment Day. The celebration of this day provides us with an opportunity to broaden the basis for an enlightened opinion and responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises and communities in preserving and enhancing the environment. Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated all over the world.
“Connecting People to Nature”
Each World Environment Day is organized around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern. The theme for 2017, ‘Connecting People to Nature’, urges us to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it. It challenges us to find fun and exciting ways to experience and cherish this vital relationship.
Billions of rural people around the world spend every working day ‘connected to nature’ and appreciate full well their dependence on natural water supplies and how nature provides their livelihoods in the form of fertile soil. They are among the first to suffer when ecosystems are threatened, whether by pollution, climate change or over-exploitation.
Nature’s gifts are often hard to value in monetary terms. Like clean air, they are often taken for granted, at least until they become scarce. However, economists are developing ways to measure the multi-trillion-dollar worth of many so-called ‘ecosystem services’, from insects pollinating fruit trees to the leisure, health and spiritual benefits of a hike up a valley.
Canada, the host country
Every World Environment Day has a different global host country, where the official celebrations take place. This year it is Canada.
Its rich and spectacular natural heritage is a source of pride and identity for Canadians. Abundant natural resources also support the country’s economic prosperity – through tourism as well as sustainable use – and the health and well-being of its 36 million inhabitants.
World Environment Day is an important part of Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations. As part of the festivities, Canada offers free passes for its national parks throughout 2017
Environment Day in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Environment Minister H E the President Mr. Maithripala Sisirsena in his Environment Day message emphasized the importance of sustainable environment for human survival.
Full text of President’s message:
It took several centuries for the Human beings to become modest enough to accept the fact that they are only one of the creations of the nature.
Even though human civilizations, from its origin, made efforts to change the natural environment to suit their needs, at present, due to frequently occurring of natural disasters, we have to admit that humans cannot survive without a sustainable environment. The nature reminds us its message through landslides, devastating floods and drought.
Nevertheless, we are not late to understand the message of the nature comprehensively, as well as to live in harmony with nature.
The ‘Connecting People to Nature’, the theme for World Environment Day 2017, invites all of us to unite to build that kind of nature-friendly relationship.
This year’s World Environment Day, expects to bring knowledge and awareness to the people about the need to sustain environment in their activities and daily lifestyle. Avoiding lifestyle habits unfavorable to the nature and engaging in appropriate nature-friendly lifestyle habits is directly interconnected with the human survival.
I wish every success for all the World Environment Day programmes carried out to achieve these goals, and join with all those who contribute for the sustainability of the environment.
