New Zealand is playing this year’s host to the global event: World Environment Day (WED). WED began in 1972 at the time of the Stockholm Conference on Human Environment at the United Nations General Assembly.

It is an opportunity to raise political awareness of environmental issues and for governments globally to make sincere pledges towards improving the state of the environment. This year the slogan is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy, hence the central theme for this year’s event is reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Issues being highlighted therefore include improving our energy efficiency, eco-friendly consumption and living ‘low-carbon’ lifestyles.

People can celebrate WED by hosting green events such as bicycle parades, street parties, clean-up campaigns and anything that highlights green issues.