80 Ways To Celebrate World Environment Day

On June 5th, 1972, the United Nations General Assembly formed the United Nations Environment Programme (commonly referred to as UNEP). The organization was created to, "Provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations."

That same day was also marked World Environment Day and every June 5th since, has been celebrated as a worldwide day of environmental awareness among politicians and the general public. This year, UNEP is using the slogan, "Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy," to make climate change the focus of attention. World Environment Day will provide tools and resources to help countries, businesses and citizens of planet earth lower their carbon impact in every facet of life?from energy efficiency to forest conservation to conscious consumerism.

While this year's main international celebrations will be headquartered in New Zealand, citizens around the world are encouraged to participate. In fact, UNEP created The World Environment Day Alphabet--80 Ways to Celebrate so you can choose your eco-partying method of choice?whether it's organizing a street rally, riding a bike, writing an essay, or planting a tree (or planting several trees, like Nobel Laureate Wangari Mathai?who we recently interviewed).

Or, at the least, using the day to quietly reflect upon becoming a better steward of the earth. As UNEP's website says: "On this World Environment Day, let us examine the state of our environment. Let us consider carefully the actions which each of us must take, and then address ourselves to our common task of preserving all life on earth in a mood of sober resolution and quiet confidence."

Difficulty level: Easy