World Environment Day, June 5 2011

The United Nations has celebrated World Environment Day on the 5th June since 1972 and has now become the main vehicle through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment.

This year has been declared the International Year of Forests and celebrates the central role of people in the management, conservation and sustainable development of our world's forests.

Forests cover one third of the earth's land mass, performing vital functions and services around the world which make our planet alive with possibilities. 

1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods.  They play a key role in our battle against climate change, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere while storing carbon dioxide. 

Forests cover 31% of total land area, and the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people depend of forests.

Forests provide a home to more than 300 million people worldwide, and are home to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity.

Yet global deforestation continues at an alarming rate -- every year, 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed.  That's equal to the size of Portugal.  

Many precious species face extinction.  Biodiversity is being obliterated.

So what can we do?  The UN has just declared that 2011-2020 will be the United Nations Decade for Biodiversity, drawing further attention to the importance of forests for all walks of life.

The United Nations Environment Program has announced India as the host of World Environment Day 2011. Two of India's most prominent cities - Mumbai and Delhi - will be the venue for this year's global celebration of the environment, with a myriad of activities over several days to inspire Indians and people around the world to take action for the environment.

Closer to home, the United Nations Association of Australia holds its annual national World Environment Day Awards in order to raise awareness for World Environment Day by highlighting the Australian businesses, local governments, individuals, community groups, NGOs, schools and the media whose work serves to protect, manage or restore the environment.

Nominations are now open nationally and nomination form can be obtained from www.unaavictoria.org.au

The image of the orang-utan is a feature of the United Nations Association of Australia's World Environment Day Awards campaign this year.

The Association chose the orang-utan for their Awards campaign in order to highlight the plight of all creatures who are losing their habitats due to agriculture, logging and deforestation.

In the Malay language orang-utan means 'people of the forest.' It is estimated that 80 per cent of the orang-utan's habitat has been deforested in the last 20 years.

While the UN theme Forests: Nature at your Service reflects the goal of a world where forests are at the heart of sustainable development and green economies, the Association would like to ensure that we do not forget what is at stake if we continue to mismanage our precious natural resources.

Victorians can now enjoy these magnificent creatures in person as the Melbourne Zoo has recently celebrated the birth of Sumatran Orang-utan Dewi. She is the second child of Maimunah. Maimunah also has a seven year old son, Menyaru.

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN NATIONALLY. Each year on World Environment Day, June 5, the United Nations focuses world attention on the environment, and in particular, on positive programs that work towards protecting or restoring the world's natural heritage. The United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) actively promotes World Environment Day through the annual national World Environment Day Awards. In 2011, the Awards support the International Year of Forests and UNEP World Environment Day theme 'Forests: Nature at your Service'.

The national awards program invites nominations from individuals, organisations, community groups, schools, businesses and the media across Australia whose work demonstrates environmental leadership. The Awards play an important role in raising awareness about key environmental issues and challenges, and inspiring and motivating individuals, organisations and businesses to take positive steps towards sustainability and environmental excellence in their homes, schools, communities and workplaces.

The Award Categories for 2011 are:
• WSP Lincolne Scott Sustainability Leadership Award
• **NEW**Peter Szental Award for Sustainability Entrepreneurship
• Virgin Blue Business Awards
• Department of Sustainability and Environment Biodiversity Award
• Green Building Award
• Local Government Awards
• Excellence in Sustainable Water Management
• Environmental Schools Award
• **NEW**Sustainability Education Award
• Excellence in Marine and Coastal Management Award
• Media Award for Environmental Reporting
• Community Award
• Individual Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment

www.unaavictoria.org.au