Canada to host 2017 World Environment Day
Canada today demonstrated its commitment to environmental action as Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, and UN Environment chief Erik Solheim announced that Canada will host World Environment Day in 2017.
The UN Environment-led global event, the single largest celebration of our environment each year, takes place on June 5 and is celebrated by thousands of communities worldwide. Canada will use World Environment Day to showcase to the world the beauty of its natural environment on land and water.
“The Canadian spirit of collaboration is only one of the reasons Canada is a natural choice to host World Environment Day,” The Honourable Catherine McKenna said at a launch event during the United Nation General Assembly in New York. “World Environment Day will be an important part of Canada 150 celebrations.
“On June 5, 2017, we will blend Canadians’ pride in our environment with our determination to address climate change challenges. We are looking forward to showing the world the made-in-Canada approaches that will make our country cleaner and more competitive for businesses.”
Canada works with international partners, like UN Environment, to address environmental issues, including climate change at home and abroad. Hosting World Environment Day, along with plans to ratify the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as soon as possible, shows that Canada is fully behind global action to tackle the biggest environmental challenges of our time.
“World Environment Day is the day the planet celebrates our collective love of and reliance on nature,” said Erik Solheim, Head of UN Environment. “It helps encourage action to protect our environment and fosters a deeper appreciation of our connection to the natural world.
“With the major environmental challenges we face, we need environmental leadership more than ever. I’m happy that Canada, which has been demonstrating an emphatic commitment to environmental issues, will host World Environment Day 2017.
“As global host, it is an opportunity for Canada to further demonstrate this commitment and expand its leadership on the international stage.”
In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 5 as World Environment Day. Since 1987, World Environment Day has been hosted by a different country, where the official global celebrations take place. Recent hosts have included Angola, Italy, Barbados, Brazil, Norway and the United States.
