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“Overcome Difference, Combat Greed and Act to Preserve”

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon is our world’s greatest spokesperson and has been doing a tremendous job at putting out problems with real time solutions. He prioritizes world leaders to new global changes from economic upheaval to climate change; in fact Ban Ki-Moon’s efforts have given a voice to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. In respect to the establishment of World Environment Day (WED), I want to share this empowering quote made by the Secretary-General.

“On this World Environment Day, I urge people and governments everywhere to overcome indifference, combat greed and act to preserve our natural heritage for the benefit of this and future generations” – Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon

This inspiring message reminds us more than ever before to take action to prevent the collapse on planet Earth’s natural systems. The United Nation’s most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment occurs on June 5th 2016. From it’s beginning in 1974, this day has become a globally broadcasted platform for the public outreach and is widely celebrated in well over 100 countries. Every year’s WED is organized with a theme in mind and it focuses its attention on a pressing environmental concern. Since this serves as the “people’s day” in doing something to take care of the Earth, it can be focused on any level whether that’s locally, nationally or globally.

Go Wild for Life is the theme and this is in regards to the illegal trade in wildlife that affects vulnerable species. This booming illegal trade for wildlife products is causing havoc to Earth’s biodiversity by physically driving whole species to the edge of extinction. This is essentially organized crime stemming from the killing and smuggling to feeding corruption and insecurity to the masses across the globe. An amazing feature the United Nations does is set aside a host country for the events to kick off and take place within. WED helps to highlight all of the environmental challenges facing the specific country and showcasing their support by taking the effort to address them. WED’s host country this year is Angola and the theme really hits home because Angola is seeking to restore the herds of elephants, safeguard the environment, help to conserve Africa’s biodiversity-rich wildlife after more than a quarter-century of civil war.

 It’s important for us to realize that every action counts in life and throughout the decades of WED celebrations, millions of people across the world have been a part of environmental action. The best way to celebrate WED is to form a team with your family, friends and colleagues and brainstorm on an event you want to focus on. Become informed yourself on what’s going on for WED at the international, national, regional and local scales through the Twitter hashtag, #worldenvironmentday. Support the theme through a fun and strong message, which will eventually attract some attention motivating others around you to become involved. If planning a public event, be sure to reach out to partners and sponsors to have you undoubtedly supported for such a worthy cause. Engage others around you such as leaders, celebrities and officials in order to generate a lot of enthusiasm and attention. Within those five easy steps, you’ll be a part of the greatest environmental movement in your life.

It’s important to remember that everyone has the power to generate hugely positive impacts for this planet of ours, take the time to go wild for life forever!

Guest blog by Harnoor Gill, founder of Peace Welcome Club.

Harnoor was recipient of The Global Changemaker Award for his pioneering work in promoting civic engagement among youth. He has been recognized for his community service with the Canadian Family magazine’s Canada’s Top 15 Under 15 Award, the Young Conservationist Award, the YMCA Canada Peace Medal, the South Asian Teen of the Year Award, and most recently the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

As a Youth Volunteer Leader in his community in the Halton Region, he successfully launched a campaign for new youth immigrants, The Peace Welcome Club is the first of its kind in his community and it encourages new youth to become acquainted with and then give their own contribution to the local community in which they live.

Currently, Harnoor is grade 12 student attending high school in Georgetown Ontario.

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