World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation ofUNEP(聯合國環境規劃署United Nations Environment Programme).
World Environment Day can be celebrated in many ways, including street rallies, bicycles parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, recycling efforts, clean-up campaigns and much more.
Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment deliver statements and commit themselves to care for the Earth. More serious pledges are made which lead to the establishment of permanent governmental structures dealing with environmental management and economic planning. This observance also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions.
World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.
The World Environment Day theme selected for 2004 is Wanted! Seas and Oceans - Dead or Alive? The theme asks that we make a choice as to how we want to treat the Earth's seas and oceans. It also calls on each and every one of us to act. Do we want to keep seas and oceans healthy and alive or polluted and dead?
The main international celebrations of the World Environment Day 2004 will be held in Barcelona, Spain in close collaboration with the Universal Forum of Cultures. UNEP is honoured that the City of Barcelona, the Catalan Regional Government and the Government of Spain will be hosting this important United Nations day.
Previous Themes
2003
Water - Two Billion People are Dying for It! 水-20億人生命之所系!
2002
Give Earth a Chance 使地球充滿生機!
2001
Connect with the World Wide Web of Life 用全球網絡聯接世界萬物!
2000
The Environment Millennium - Time to Act 環境新紀元，時候已到，行動起來!
1999
Our Earth - Our Future - Just Save It! 拯救地球就是拯救未來!
1998
For Life on Earth - Save Our Seas 為了地球上的生命，拯救我們的海洋
1997
For Life on Earth 為了地球上的生命
1996
Our Earth, Our Habitat, Our Home 我們的地球、我們的生境、我們的家園
1995
We the Peoples: United for the Global Environment 我們世界各族人民：為保護全球環境而攜手努力!
1994
One Earth One Family 我們的地球-我們的家園
1993
Poverty and the Environment - Breaking the Vicious Circle 貧困與環境-打破這一惡性循環
1992
Only One Earth, Care and Share 只有一個地球-讓我們關愛和分享它
1991
Climate Change. Need for Global Partnership 需要為應付氣候變化而建立全球伙伴關系
1990
Children and the Environment 兒童與環境