CONNECTING PEOPLE TO NATURE

South Africa has declared June ‘Environment Month’ as it is the time of the year in which the country celebrates not only World Environment Day, but also World Oceans Day and the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. World Environment Day is the United Nations’ most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment.

In South Africa, June is also Youth Month – an important part of the annual calendar as it celebrates the role of the youth in bringing to the fore the fight against democracy, and marks a time when youth – as the future leaders of our country – are exploit their potential in building a new, transformed society. Through Environment Month, the youth are encouraged to get closer to nature, harness the promise it holds as they commit to building a climate resilient and healthier world for tomorrow. World Environment Day (WED) is the biggest, most globally celebrated day for positive environmental action.

Through WED, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) flagship programme enables everyone to realise their responsibility to care for the Earth, and reminds one and all of their individual power to become agents of change.

The theme, as approved by the UN, implores all people to get outdoors and into nature, appreciate beauty and importance of the natural world, and to take forward the call to protect the Planet. By embracing a healthy Planet, communities embrace a healthier population. The 2017 theme “Connecting People to Nature” further invites all members of the public, young and old, to think about how they can be part of nature and how intimately they depend on it.

It further challenges us to think about how we can collectively take action on environmental issues, such as harnessing the link between sustainable development and the environment. WED 2017 also encourages us all to find fun and exciting ways to experience and cherish this vital relationship we have with our natural world.