Home : news

:: Global Environmental Headlines

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The World Environment Day theme selected for 2006 is Deserts and Desertification and the slogan is Don't Desert Drylands! The slogan emphasizes the importance of protecting drylands, which cover more than 40% of the planet’s land area.

UNEP launched Global Deserts Outlook on World Environment Day. This GEO report, prepared by experts from across the globe, traces the history and astonishing biology of the deserts and assesses likely future changes in deserts. The world’s deserts are facing dramatic changes as a result of global climate change, high water demands, tourism and salt contamination of irrigated soils. Desert margins and so called ‘sky islands’-mountain areas within deserts that have been important for people, wildlife and water supplies for millennia-are under particular threat.

UNEP Release: Future of World’s Arid Regions Chronicled in Landmark UN Environment Report
UNEP Report: Global Deserts Outlook

The United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water (WWD) by adopting a resolution.This world day for water was to be observed starting in 1993, in conformity with the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development contained in chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agenda 21.

The theme 'Water and Culture' of WWD 2006 draws attention to the fact that there are as many ways of viewing, using, and celebrating water as there are cultural traditions across the world.

Website: World Water Day

Freshwater shortages are likely to trigger increased environmental damage over the next 15 years, according to the final report of the Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA) implemented by UNEP with funding from the GEF and national governments, released on 21 March.

Falls in river flows, rising saltiness of estuaries, loss of fish and aquatic plant species and reductions in sediments to the coast are expected to rise in many areas of the globe. These in turn will intensify farmland losses, food insecurity and damage to fisheries along with rises in malnutrition and disease.

UNEP release: Global International Waters Assessment Report Launched

On 16 March the General Assembly of the United Nations approved the recommendation of Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, and elected Achim Steiner of Germany as the next UNEP Executive Director.

Mr Steiner, currently Director General of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), is expected to take up his appointment on 15 June. He will become UNEP’s fifth Executive Director since the organization was established in the early 1970s.

UNEP release: Achim Steiner Elected New UNEP Executive Director
UN release: General Assesmbly elects ACHIM STEINER of Germany Executive Director of UNEP

Just over 50 years ago, in the heat of the global arms race, concerned scientists advised their governments about the dangers of radioactive fallout from testing nuclear weapons. From those talks, a group was born that today stands as the world’s authoritative voice on radiation levels and effects – the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). This year UNSCEAR marks the golden anniversary of its first session, held in New York from 14 to 23 March 1956.

UNSCEAR release: United Nations Scientific Body still Tracks Radiation 50 Years on

Although unevenly distributed, the world has plenty of freshwater. However, mismanagement, limited resources and environmental changes mean that almost one-fifth of the planet’s population still lacks access to safe drinking water and 40 per cent lack access to basic sanitation says the United Nations World Water Development Report 2, released on 9 March.

UNESCO release: Water: A Crisis of Governance
2nd United Nations World Water Development Report: 'Water, a shared responsibility'

The economic value and life saving function of coral reefs and mangroves is brought into sharp focus in a new report by UNEP on 24 January.

The report underlines the vital role these natural features play in tourism, stemming coastal erosion and acting as nurseries for fish including those in the multi-million dollar aquaria trade. The report recognises that corals and mangroves absorb up to 90 per cent of the energy of wind-generated waves. It is also underlines that conserving them is a small price to pay when set against the costs of destroying them or substituting their role with man-made structures.

UNEP release: Corals and Mangroves in the Front Line
UNEP report: In the Front Line: Shoreline Protection and other Ecosystem Services from Mangroves and Coral Reefs

The World Assembly on Labour and the Environment took place from 15 - 17 January at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi. A wide ranging strategy to mainstream environment and sustainable development within the trade unions movement was adopted during the event.

For the first time, UNEP, in conjunction with the International Labour Organization, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the World Confederation of Labour, brought together trade unions from around the world to chart a new course, linking labour and the environment..

UNEP release: Labouring Together for a Cleaner, Greener and More Just Planet
UNEP release: World Assembly on Labour and the Environment
UNEP release: Power of Organized Labour Plugs into Global Environmental Issues

Earthwatch Activities

 Website maintained by GRID-Europe
Last Update 12 Sep 2007