World Environment Day 2014

I warn you this is not a make-up based post...

This Thursday is World Environment Day 2014; an worldwide event celebrated on the 5th June annually. Run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Environment Day (WED) is the UN's principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide environmental awareness and promoting action.

In support of the UN's designation of 2014 as the International Year Of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), this years theme entitled Raise Your Voice, Not The Sea Level, focuses on the issues of Small Islands and Climate Change.

The Small Island Developing States are a collection of 52 low-lying coastal countries that have similar sustainable developmental challenges such as susceptibility to natural disasters, small but rapidly growing populations and fragile environments. Divided into three geographical regions: The Caribbean, the Pacific and the Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Seas, their dependence on international trade and frequent romoteness means that their growth and development is held back by high communication, energy and transport costs.

Confronted with many challenges when it comes to the progression towards sustainability, the Islands are under threat from the effects of Climate change and this year World Environment Day is highlighting these issues and raising support for the plight of these small nations.

So how can you get involved?

There are events being run worldwide and a full list of the events is available on the WED website. Alternatively, why not plan your own event?

To find out more about World Environment Day, go to www.unep.org/wed