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World Environment Day – June 5th, 2009
June 5th is an important day for all persons in our global village but especially for those of us committed to living the Good News of peace and justice.  World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 and has been commemorated in a different city each year with an international exposition through the week of June 5.  This year Mexico hosts the events.

World Environment Day is a vehicle through which the United Nations
  • stimulates world wide awareness of the environment
  • enhances political attention and action.
See the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

A prayer for this day has been developed by members of the USG/UISG Commission for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation in Rome.  The dream of the members is that all consecrated religious throughout the world will not only be aware of this day but join in prayer with our brothers and sisters, friends and collaborators everywhere on this day.  Readers are invited to adapt and use this prayer wherever they are.
This day invites us to action alongside prayer.  We encourage readers to participate in UNEP’s Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign where individuals, families, communities, organizations, business and industry, civil society and governments, and churches are being encouraged to plant trees and enter their tree planting pledges on the web site.  The campaign strongly encourages planting indigenous trees, or other trees appropriate to your local environment.

Another way of taking action is to inform yourself and your community about the upcoming Copenhagen Conference of Parties, December 7-18, 2009.  This gathering of 189 major governments is the 15th such climate change conference aimed at combating greenhouse gas emissions.  It will work towards a new global climate agreement (post Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012) that incorporates all the countries of the world.  Approaches to forestry and carbon trading are some of the key issues this year. 
  • How is your local church engaging in these issues?
  • Will you raise the issue?  Where is the voice of our church?
  • Find out how your government is acting on these issues.
Lobby your government to make your voice heard on the issue of climate change.
Finally, we propose you consider reading and reflecting on an ecological resource, developed by a working group of the JPIC Commission, entitled ‘Earth Community:  In Christ through the Integrity of Creation towards Justice and Peace for All’. It can be accessed here.

The Prayer for World Environment Day can be accessed here