World Environment Day 2010

Achim Steiner, Executive Direct UNEP and UN Under Secretary General

I hope 2010--the International Year of Biodiversity-- will prove to be defining year in terms of humanity's relationship with the natural world. Instead of running down the natural capital upon which we all ultimately depend, this year marks an opportunity to glimpse the inordinate value of the biodiversity and the ecosystems such as forests and freshwater to coral, reefs and even the atmosphere, that make the Earth habitable and indeed wonderous and beautiful place to live. 

Until recently, the real value of these natural and nature-based assets have been invisible or near invisible in national accounts. this is changing, in part by the work of the UNEP-hosted The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) and also as governments realize that the way we manage natural resources will in large part define all our futures in the 21st century.

Whether it be climate change or biodiversity and ecosystem loss, we have but a few years to define this future or it will happen by default. I know which of these choices I would choose for my family and community, I am sure it is the same choice you would make too.

www.unep.org

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity

A survey across 10 countries released in May this year demonstrated that today’s young people are dangerously and increasingly detached from nature. In many countries, more time is spent indoors playing video games than wandering and observing the beauty of nature around them. There is an urgent need to close this nature deficit gap and for you, the citizens of tomorrow, to reconnect with nature. That’s what the Green Wave is all about. As we celebrate World Environment Day under the theme of biodiversity, let’s get out into nature, let's all be ambassadors of the Green Wave under the leadership of Jean Lemire the honorary ambassador of this unique initiative.

greenwave.cbd.int

Yolanda Kakabadse, President, WWF International

Today, most of us live in towns and cities and nature seems divorced from our everyday lives. But it isn't - we all do rely on the natural world for almost everything that sustains us. In this International Year of Biodiversity, I would encourage everyone to experience its beauty, fragility and fascination at first hand. I hope you will then come to love nature and become strong advocates for its conservation.

www.panda.org

Ed Miliband MP, former UK Minister of the Environment and candidate for leadership of Britain’s Labour Party

It is very, very important that young people get involved in the issues around climate change and the environment because you are our future. Become involved in your own local communities, in national campaigns, in global campaigns. We need people involved at every level to make a difference to the environment. And put pressure on politicians to get the kind of international agreements we need, and have the kind of domestic and global action we need.

www.edmiliband.org.uk

Carey Fowler, Executive Director, The Crop Trust

We forget that the freedom to choose what to eat is a rare privilege. A freedom that was denied most of our ancestors, and one that remains out of reach for millions of people alive today. This is something I wish that you never forget. The diversity in farmers' fields, the wild ancestors of crops in nature, and the seeds carefully conserved by world's genebanks are the raw materials from which we will produce our future crops and our future food. If the men and women of the decades and centuries to come wish to eat nearly as well as we, they must safeguard this crop diversity. And more importantly know how to use it.

www.croptrust.org

Sara Oldfield, Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International

Imagine a world without colour – imagine a world without plants! Plants colour our window boxes, gardens and natural landscapes. They provide us with inspiration and pleasure. Much more than this they provide our food, medicines, timber and a whole host of natural resources. They provide the oxygen in the air that we breathe and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to regulate the global climate. An estimated 33 percent of all plant species are threatened with extinction. In the International Year of Biodiversity please support the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation! And enjoy World Environment Day.

www.bgci.org

Mark Lynas, author of Six Degrees, journalist and environmental activist

Biodiversity is just a word, but think about what it means - animals, plants, fish, bugs, microbes, all the living organisms which make this planet what it is. Think about a world with fewer of these irreplaceable species. A world without tigers, for instance. Then decide to dedicate your life to protecting life on Earth.

www.marklynas.org

Martin Palmer, Director, Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC)

Lots of people will tell you that you’re the future. But they’re wrong; you’re the present. You are spending money, making friends, eating food, making decisions, thinking about your career, thinking about relationships. And it may surprise you that these things will all affect the world around you in ways that you can hardly imagine. So over the next week, draw a map of things you have to do, buy or decide in the next three years, and work out how they might make the world a better place. And if you can’t think of any, just ask yourself if there’s a different choice you could make. But most of all, have fun and celebrate – as many of us in the faiths do – this amazing planet. We are lucky to be here.

www.arcworld.org

Pavan Sukhdev, Study Leader, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)

I hope that on World Environment Day people will reflect on the importance of the environment to our well being, livelihoods and economies today and far into the future. There is so much we can do to understand and respect the value of nature and to bring vigorous new thinking to the table to help address the damage we have caused. The chance for a sustainable future is in our hands.

www.teebweb.org

Sue Riddlestone and Pooran Desai, Co-founders, BioRegional

We have the solutions - we now need to deploy them comprehensively. We have a fantastic opportunity to create a world where people can lead happy and healthy lives within a fair share of the earth's resources – one planet living. Everybody, everywhere can contribute to our common future - and people all around the world are doing just that.

www.bioregional.com