Earth Day (April 22nd every year)
1969, U.S. Democratic Senator Gallo Nelson proposed to hold a lecture on environmental protection on the campuses of universities all over the country. After hearing this proposal, dennis hayes, a student of Harvard University, conceived to hold a lecture on environmental protection in Cambridge. So he went to Washington, D.C. and met Nelson. Young Hayes told his thoughts and Nelson was overjoyed. He immediately expressed his willingness to hire Hayes, and even encouraged him to suspend his studies and concentrate on environmental protection. Therefore, Hayes resolutely went through the suspension procedures. Soon, he expanded Nelson's ideas and began large-scale community activities all over the United States. The idea of holding "Earth Day" came into being. And selected1April 22, 970 as the first "Earth Day". On this day, more than 20 million people, 65,438+/kloc-0,000 primary and secondary schools, 2,000 colleges and universities, 2,000 communities and major groups in the United States participated in the "Earth Day" activities. People hold rallies, parades and other forms of publicity activities, holding highly polluted earth models, huge paintings and charts, shouting slogans and demanding that the government take measures to protect the environment. This activity marks the rise of the American environmental protection movement and urges the American government to take some measures to control environmental pollution. It is also the first large-scale mass environmental protection movement in human history, and the organizer dennis hayes is called the father of Earth Day.
1990, the organizers of the 20th Earth Day hope to expand this movement in the United States to the whole world. To this end, they wrote to the leaders of China, the United States and Britain and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, calling on them to take measures and hold a meeting to reach a multilateral agreement on environmental protection in order to reverse the trend of environmental deterioration. At the same time, the organizers of Earth Day also called on governments all over the world who are willing to devote themselves to environmental protection to mobilize their citizens to carry out environmental protection campaigns on April 22nd 1990. The initiative of the organizers of Earth Day activities has been echoed by many countries and international organizations in Asia, Africa, America and Europe. Finally, 200 million people from 1, 4 1 countries took part in1Earth Day on April 22nd, 990. Since then, Earth Day has become a global environmental movement.
Since 1990, China has launched the commemoration and publicity activities of "Earth Day" every year. In February 2000, Hayes accepted China's invitation to attend the launching ceremony of "China Action for Earth Day 2000 in China".
World Environment Day (World Environment Day, June 5th every year)
1972 On June 5th, the United Nations Conference on Human Environment was held in Stockholm, Sweden. The meeting adopted the Declaration on the Human Environment, and proposed to designate June 5th of each year as the "World Environment Day". In June 5438+in the same year 10, the 27th UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to accept the proposal. The establishment of World Environment Day reflects people's understanding and attitude towards environmental issues all over the world, and expresses human's yearning and pursuit for a beautiful environment.
On June 5th every year, the United Nations Environment Programme selects a member country to hold a commemorative event of "World Environment Day", publishes an annual report on the state of the environment and commends the "Top 500 in the world", and formulates the annual theme of "World Environment Day" according to the world's major environmental problems and environmental hotspots in that year.
The significance of World Environment Day is to remind the world of the state of the earth and the harm of human activities to the environment. The United Nations and governments are required to carry out various activities on this day, emphasizing the importance of protecting and improving the human environment.
The United Nations Environment Programme publishes the theme of World Environment Day at the beginning of each year and the annual report on the state of the environment in World Environment Day every year. During this period, the State Environmental Protection Administration of China issued a bulletin on the environmental situation in China.
From June 5th, 65438 to June 5th, 0985, China held an activity to commemorate World Environment Day with the theme of "Youth, Population and Environment". Since then, every year on June 5, commemorative activities will be held all over the country. From 65438 to 0993, Beijing was chosen as the city to hold celebrations with the theme of "breaking the cycle of poverty and environment".
1972 On June 5 ~ 16, the United Nations held a conference on human environment in Stockholm, Sweden. This is the first conference in human history to study and protect the human environment in the world. The meeting was attended by 1 13 countries, representing more than 300 people. In addition to the government delegation, there are also folk scientists and scholars. The meeting discussed the environmental problems in the contemporary world and formulated countermeasures and measures. Before the meeting, morris strong, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, entrusted 152 celebrities from 58 countries to form a large committee, with Dr. Rene Dubos as the head of the expert advisory group, and drafted an informal report for the meeting-"Only One Earth". This meeting put forward a global environmental slogan: there is only one earth! After 12 days of discussion and exchange, the famous Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, referred to as the Declaration on the Human Environment, and the Action Plan for Protecting the Global Environment containing 109 suggestions were formed and published, calling on governments and people of all countries to make joint efforts to safeguard and improve the human environment, and to benefit all people and future generations.
World Water Day (March 22nd every year)
1977 The "United Nations Water Conference" issued a solemn warning to the whole world: water will soon become a profound social crisis, and the next crisis after the oil crisis will be water.
1992,1On February 22nd, 1993, the United Nations General Assembly established World Water Day. In its resolution 58/2 17 of February 23, 2003, the General Assembly declared World Water Day on March 22, 2005, and the period from 2005 to 2065 as the International Decade for Action "Water for Life".
The theme of World Water Day in 2006 is "Water and Culture". The World Water Resources Development Report recently released by UNESCO has sounded nine alarm bells in the face of global water resources development problems.
The first alarm: the water resources management system and infrastructure construction are insufficient.
Due to poor management, lack of resources, environmental change and insufficient investment in infrastructure, about15 of the world's population cannot get safe drinking water.
The second alarm: poor water quality leads to poverty.
In 2002, about 365,438+ten thousand people died of diarrhea and malaria in the world, of which nearly 90% were children under 5 years old.
The third alarm: the water quality in most areas is declining.
The diversity of freshwater species and ecosystems is rapidly declining, which is faster than that of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Fourth alert: 90% of disasters are related to water.
Many natural disasters are the result of improper land use. The worsening drought in East Africa is a painful example.
Fifth alarm: agricultural water supply and demand are tight.
Agricultural water consumption has accounted for nearly 70% of global human fresh water consumption.
Sixth alarm: the city is short of water.
In 2030, the proportion of urban population will increase to nearly 2 /3, resulting in a surge in urban water demand.
The seventh alarm: insufficient development of hydraulic resources.
More than 2 billion people in developing countries have no access to reliable energy, and water is an important resource to create energy. However, the current insufficient development of water resources has affected the creation of other energy sources.
Eighth alarm: serious waste of water resources.
In many parts of the world, as much as 30% ~ 40% or more water is wasted.
The ninth alarm: water resources investment is lagging behind.
World Meteorological Day (March 23rd every year)
"World Meteorological Day", also known as "International Meteorological Day", is the anniversary of the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization, which is held on March 23rd every year to commemorate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization and the entry into force of the Convention of the International Meteorological Organization (March 23rd, 1950). Every year, "World Meteorological Day" has a theme, which requires member countries to hold celebrations on this day to widely publicize the important role of meteorological work.
Originally an unofficial international meteorological cooperation organization, the International Meteorological Organization was reorganized into the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and became an intergovernmental international meteorological cooperation organization on the first anniversary of the entry into force of the WMO Convention signed by the representatives of member States, that is, 195 1 on March 23rd.
1960, the Executive Committee of the World Meteorological Organization decided to designate March 23rd as the World Remembrance Day, requiring member countries to hold celebrations on this day every year to widely publicize the important role of meteorological work. There is a central activity on World Meteorological Day every year. On this day, member States can carry out various forms of publicity and commemorative activities according to the central content of the year, such as organizing people to visit meteorological stations, holding mass celebration ceremonies with government leaders, holding exhibitions of meteorological instruments, equipment, photos, charts and materials, holding press conferences, reporting special articles and speeches in newspapers, radio stations and television stations, showing meteorological popular science films, and issuing commemorative stamps.
China is one of the founding countries of the World Meteorological Organization, and resumed its legal seat in the organization from 65438 to 0972.
The theme of World Meteorological Day in 2007 is "Polar Meteorology: Understanding the Global Impact", aiming at discussing the impact of global warming on polar meteorology.
Polar region is the cold source of global climate system, which is very important for global climate change. Through the detailed observation of atmospheric sediments on the polar ice sheet, we can understand the climate and environmental changes in the polar regions and even the whole world.
The report "Global Climate 2006" published by the World Meteorological Organization pointed out that in 2006, the climate in most parts of the world continued to be warmer, and the polar ice layer was melting rapidly. On February 1 day, 2007, experts of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted that from now until February100, the global average temperature may rise by 1.8 ~ 4℃ and the sea level may rise by 18 ~ 59 cm.
Scientific records show that the ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland are disappearing, and it is found that the freezing time in the Arctic is getting shorter and shorter due to climate warming, and polar bears who used to spend their lives on sea ice are gradually migrating to land. Experts predict that if the Greenland ice sheet near the North Pole disappears, the global sea level will rise by 7 meters, which will mean "disaster" for some coastal countries and regions. So protecting the polar regions is to protect human beings themselves.
The international community has been paying attention to polar regions for a long time. As early as 1882 to 1883, the International Meteorological Organization, the predecessor of the World Meteorological Organization, initiated and organized the "First International Polar Year". 12 scientists from two countries jointly visited the North and South Poles, marking the transition from the era of exploration to the era of scientific investigation, and also announcing the beginning of international cooperation in polar scientific investigation.
The purpose of "World Meteorological Day" activities is mainly to let countries better understand the activities of the World Meteorological Organization and the outstanding contributions made by meteorological departments in economic and national defense construction, and to promote the application of meteorology in human activities such as aviation, navigation, water conservancy and agriculture.
World Forest Day (2 March each year1)
World Forest Day is also translated as World Forestry Festival.
This anniversary was put forward by Spain and unanimously adopted at the Tenerife Island Congress of the European Agricultural Union in 197 1. In June of the same year, 1 1 was officially confirmed by FAO.
March 2 1 day is the first World Forest Day. Some countries have designated this day as Arbor Day; Some countries have determined their own Arbor Day according to their specific environment and needs. Arbor Day in China is March 12. Nowadays, in addition to planting trees, World Forest Day also pays extensive attention to the deeper problems of forests and people's livelihood.
The forest is the cradle of mankind. In ancient times, people held some commemorative activities out of simple awe of forests and trees. American Indians regard forests as totems: "Trees hold up the sky. If the forest disappears, the sky at the top of the world will collapse, and nature and human beings will perish together. "
With the development of mankind, from early agricultural cultivation to modern times, the consumption of wood and forest products has surged, resulting in a sharp decline in global forest area, a continuous decline in forest quality and a gradual deterioration of the ecological environment. The birth of "World Forest Day" marks people's vigilance against forest problems.
At present, it is generally believed that "forests can make great contributions to mankind and have great potential in many aspects such as environmental security, poverty eradication and improvement of human living standards." For the long-term survival of human beings and forests, the urgent task in the world is: "to maintain and increase the forest coverage area;" Restore and improve forest functions; Strengthen planting to make up for the development and utilization of forests; Pay attention to the rights of forest aborigines and forest workers. "
World Wetlands Day (February 2nd every year)
Wetland is an important field of environmental protection, and different countries and experts have different definitions of wetland. Chinese scientists define wetland as an ecosystem formed by perennial or seasonal water accumulation on land (the water depth is less than 2 meters, and the water has accumulated for more than 4 months) and over-wet land, as well as biological populations that grow and inhabit in it. Common natural wetlands are: marshes, peatlands, shallow lakes, floodplains, coastal beaches and salt marshes.
Wetland has a strong function of regulating groundwater, which can effectively store water and resist flood peak; It can purify sewage and adjust regional microclimate; Wetlands are also important habitats for aquatic animals, amphibians, birds and other wild animals. Wetlands, forests and oceans are also called the three major ecosystems in the world, which have nurtured and enriched the global biodiversity and are figuratively compared to "kidney of the earth".
In order to strengthen the protection and utilization of wetlands, on February 2, 197 1, representatives from 18 countries signed the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat in Ramsar, a coastal town in southern Iran. The main function of the Convention is to protect wetlands and their biodiversity, especially waterfowl and their living environment through cooperation among governments around the world. In order to commemorate this pioneering work and raise public awareness of wetland protection, the International Wetland Union decided at the1996th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on Wetlands in March: from 1997 onwards, February 2 of each year will be designated as World Wetlands Day.
Since 1997, countries all over the world have held different forms of activities on this day to publicize and protect natural resources and ecological environment. Wetlands are the most valuable ecosystems in the world. According to the authoritative research data of the United Nations Environment Programme in 2002, the value created by 1 hectare wetland ecosystem is as high as 1.4 million USD per year, which is 7 times that of tropical rain forest and 1.6 times that of farmland ecosystem.
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (every June 17)
1994 12 19 On the recommendation of the Second Committee of the General Assembly, the forty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 49/ 1 15, and from 1995 onwards, every June15 will be
From 65438 to 0977, the United Nations Conference on Desertification formally put forward "land desertification", which is the most serious environmental problem in the world. 1In June 1992, 100 more than heads of state and government attended the conference on environment and development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and desertification was listed as a priority area for international action. Subsequently, the United Nations adopted resolution 47/ 188 and established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa. The negotiation of the Convention began in May 1993 and was completed in June 1994 after five times. June 17 is the day when the international community reached an understanding on the Convention to Combat Desertification. Zhu Guangyao, Vice Minister of Forestry of China, signed the Convention on behalf of the China government at the signing ceremony of the Convention held in Paris from June 2004 to October 2005.
International Natural Disaster R Education Day (the second Wednesday of June 5438+ 10 every year).
The "International Decade for Disaster Reduction" was put forward by Dr. Frank Press, former president of the American Academy of Sciences, at the 8th World Earthquake Engineering Conference in July 1984. Since then, this plan has been widely concerned by the United Nations and the international community. Resolution 1 69 of the 42nd United Nations General Assembly (hereinafter referred to as "the General Assembly") adopted in June+February 1 year, and resolution 203 of the 43rd General Assembly adopted on February 20th1year. 1989 65438+In February, the 44th General Assembly adopted the report of the Economic and Social Council on the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, and decided to launch the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction from 1990 to 1999, and designated the second Wednesday of each year as the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction. 1990 10 10 is the first International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, and the General Assembly also confirmed the International Plan of Action for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction. In 20001year, the General Assembly decided to continue to commemorate the International Day for Disaster Reduction on the second Wednesday of June 5438+00 every year, in order to advocate cultural activities to reduce natural disasters around the world, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.
The International Plan of Action for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction first defines the goals and objectives of the action. The purpose of the action is to reduce the loss of life and property and social and economic depression caused by earthquakes, storms, tsunamis, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, locusts, droughts, desertification and other natural disasters, especially in developing countries. Its objectives are: to improve the ability of each country to mitigate the impact of natural disasters quickly and effectively, and pay special attention to helping developing countries in need to establish early warning systems and disaster-resistant structures; Taking into account the different cultural and economic conditions of different countries, formulate appropriate policies and strategies for using existing scientific and technological knowledge; Encourage all kinds of science and technology to fill the key gaps in knowledge; Dissemination, evaluation and prediction of existing technical data and new technical data related to natural disaster mitigation measures; Through technical assistance and technology transfer, demonstration projects, education and training, formulate measures to assess, predict and mitigate natural disasters, and evaluate these programs and effectiveness.
The International Plan of Action requires governments to: formulate national natural disaster mitigation programs, especially those of developing countries, and incorporate them into their own development programs; During the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, participate in coordinated international natural disaster reduction actions, cooperate with relevant scientific and technological circles, and set up national committees; Encourages local administrations to take appropriate steps to contribute to the realization of the objectives of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction; Take appropriate measures to make the public more aware of the importance of disaster reduction and strengthen the community's disaster preparedness capacity through education, training and other means; Pay attention to the impact of natural disasters on health care, especially reducing the vulnerable activities of hospitals and health centers, and pay attention to the impact of natural disasters on food storage facilities, shelters and other socio-economic infrastructure; Encourage scientific and technological institutions, financial institutions, industries, foundations and other relevant non-governmental organizations to support and fully participate in various disaster reduction programs and activities formulated and implemented by the international community including governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations.
International Biodiversity Day (May 22nd every year)
Biodiversity is the result of the development and evolution of life on earth after billions of years, and it is the material basis for human survival. In order to protect the global biodiversity, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992, 153 countries signed the Convention on the Protection of Biological Diversity. 1994 65438+ In February, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to designate February 29th of 65438+as "International Biodiversity Day" to raise people's awareness of biodiversity protection. And from 200 1, the annual 65438+February 29th is changed to May 22nd.
Biodiversity refers to the diversity of all life forms, levels and combinations on the earth. Simply put, biodiversity is the overall diversity and variability of organisms and their systems. Biodiversity includes three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity.
Biodiversity is the result of the development and evolution of life on earth after billions of years, and it is the material basis for human survival and sustainable development. It provides all human food and important industrial raw materials, such as wood, fiber, oil and rubber. Most of Chinese medicine comes from biology. Up to now, there are more than 30,000 kinds of organisms directly and indirectly used in medicine. It can be said that protecting biodiversity is the cornerstone of protecting human survival and social development, and the foundation of protecting human cultural diversity, that is, protecting human beings themselves.
International Day for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (every September 16).
The International Day for the Protection of the Ozone Layer is on September 6th every year. 1995 65438+1On October 23rd, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to designate September 16 every year as the International Day for the Protection of the Ozone Layer from1995. The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day for the Protection of the Ozone Layer to commemorate the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer signed on September 6th, 1987. All States parties must take concrete actions to commemorate this special day in accordance with the objectives of the Protocol and its amendments.