World Environment Day: Some facts and what we can do to support this day

Every year, June 5 is celebrated as World Environment Day with a new theme. This year the theme is "One Planet. Consume with Care." This year's theme is encouraged by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation report which says that every year, 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted and more than 20,000 children die of hunger daily, around the world. The theme encourages the reduction of food wastage and aims to make people aware of the the impact their food choices have on the environment. It was established in 1972 by the United Nations after the United States instituted Earth Day. On World Environment Day, listed are some facts and what we can do to support this day. Some facts on World Environment Day:

• This day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972

• The United Nation organisation calls the holiday its "principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment"

• The anniversary of the Stockholm Conference is celebrated as World Environment Day every year. The conference was held by UN on the Human Environment

• Each year, the emphasis on World Environment Day is placed on a certain earth topic of crisis

• The name of the topic is usually decided by vote around March 1

• The theme of this year is "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care". This year the theme encourages people to be more aware of the environmental impact of their food choices

• In 2016, the theme and slogan will be "Join the race to make the world a better place"

• More than 100 countries are involved in the public outreach holiday

• The UN website says that it received a total of 6,437 pledges, in 2014

Here is what you can do on World Environment Day:

• You all can start from your home. Build a little garden or start with a sapling

• Fertilize public trees and gardens

• Clean the roads around your house

• Say YES to public transport

• Buy items made from recycled products

India Today