World Environment Day (WED), observed every year on June 5, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness for the environment and enhances political attention and action.
The theme for WED 2011 is Forests: Nature at your Service in line with the UN International Year of Forests 2011. Joining people around the world in an effort towards environmental action, Greeks will organise several events across the country dedicated to this special day.
For June 5, the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change has called upon all the Greeks across the country to send a strong message for the protection of the environment by cleaning forests, beaches and cities. The National Cycling Team together with Attico Metro run a special bike ride, starting from downtown Athens and ending up in the southern coastal district of Faliro. Moreover, an environmental education programme for children is currently taking place at several museums and exhibition centres, running from June 1 to 15.
"The importance of the World Environment Day should be mentioned every day" said President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias in his message on WED, calling for sensitisation at national and international level before it is too late.
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