World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on June 5 every year and has been celebrated since 1972. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. It is on the same day, that the General Assembly created the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is now the United Nations’ principal agency for environmental action. Over the years, the day has focused on such issues as acid rain, oceans, water, ‘green cities’, desertification, climate change, air pollution. WED is one of the practical channels through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances both individual and political attention and action. Last year (2008), the international WED celebrations were centered in New Zealand with focus on Fostering Low-Carbon Economies. Uganda’s national WED celebrations were held at Arua Grounds, Arua town, in Arua District under the local theme “Save Energy for Better Livelihood” derived from the global theme. The day gives all of us chance to play part in our own capacities to contribute towards ensuring sustainable development.

In cooperation with UNEP, Mexico will host the international WED 2009 celebrations with focus on Climate Change prevention. Mexico, a country at the crossroads of the Green Economy and one increasingly in the centre of regional and global affairs will host the international 2009 World Environment Day celebrations. The theme chosen by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is, “Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change”. This reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new agreement at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests. WED 2009 celebrations will focus on the solutions and the opportunities for countries, companies and communities to "Unite to Combat Climate Change". Measures include, water shade management and maintenance, tree planting to counter rises in greenhouse gases. An estimated 20 per cent of emissions contributing to Climate Change globally are as a result of