Official Environment Days and Events
February 2 - World Wetlands Day
World Wetlands Day is held every year on February 2. It marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Each year since 1997, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular.
March 21, 2012 - Earth Hour
The purpose of Earth Hour is to focus attention on the need for action on Climate Change. Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. In 2009, Earth Hour was taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people casting their vote for Earth. Earth Hour 2010 broke new ground by seeing participation from 128 different countries and territories, unified in an attempt to combat climate change. In 2011, the Earth Hour initiative saw further progression with 135 countries taking part making it the largest Earth Hour to date. Earth Hour 2012 aims to continue this trend of improving global awareness on an international scale. It will take place on Saturday, March 21 at 8:30 pm.
March 22 - World Day for Water
The United Nations General Assembly designated March 22 of each year as the World Day for Water. WDW has been celebrated since 1993, in conformity with Agenda 21, Chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources). Agenda 21 was the comprehensive plan of action adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
April 10 - National Wildlife Week
National Wildlife Week (NWW) is a program of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Sponsored in partnership with TD Friends of the Environment, provincial and territorial wildlife agencies, the Canadian Museum of Nature, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, Royal Botanical Gardens and Scouts Canada, NWW is an opportunity to celebrate our country’s natural heritage and play a supportive role in its conservation. Proclaimed by an act of Parliament in 1947, NWW falls every year the week of April 10, the birthday of Jack Miner, one of the founders of Canada’s conservation movement.
2012 marks the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s 50th anniversary - commemorating a half a century of conserving and protecting Canadian wildlife and its habitat.
April 22 - Earth Day
Celebrated every April 22, Earth Day is the largest, most celebrated environmental event worldwide. First launched as an environmental awareness event in the United States in 1970, Earth Day is celebrated as the birth of the environmental movement. In Canada, Earth Day has grown into Earth Week and even Earth Month to accommodate the profusion of events and projects.
April 23 to 30, 2012 - PITCH-IN Canada Week
Over 3.5 million volunteers participate in almost 20,000 PITCH-IN Canada projects each year. PITCH-IN is Canada's largest program to improve communities as well as the environment.
May 6 to 12, 2012 - International Compost Awareness Week
International Compost Awareness Week is a program of The Composting Council of Canada, a national non-profit, member-driven organization with a charter to advocate and advance composting and compost usage. It serves as the central resource and network for the composting industry in Canada and, through its members, contributes to the environmental sustainability of the communities in which they operate.
2nd Saturday in May - International Migratory Bird Day
International Migratory Bird Day is a project of Environment for the Americas (EFTA), and was created by Partners in Flight (PIF) to focus attention on the need for action to conserve birds and their habitats. Over the past two decades, IMBD celebrations have educated people on threats to migratory birds and instilled an appreciation for birds and bird habitatMay 22 - The International Day for Biological DiversityCanadians celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on the second Saturday in May through bird festivals, bird walks and other activities.
International Day for Biological Diversity - 22 May
The United Nations proclaimed May 22 the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.Marine Biodiversity is the theme for this year's International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). Designation of IDB 2012 on the theme of marine ecosystems provides Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and everyone interested in marine life, the opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and increase practical action.
May (Last Week) - Bike to Work Week
Biketoworkweek.org is committed to furthering bicycle commuting across the world by promoting bike to work week and bike to work day events.
June (First Week) - Canadian Environment Week
http://www.ec.gc.ca/sce-cew/default.asp?lang=En
Canadian Environment Week (CEW) is held during the first week of June every year to coincide with World Environment Day (June 5). CEW challenges Canadians to do more to protect and preserve Canada's environment.
June 5 - World Environment Day
World Environment Day (WED) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Commemorated yearly on June 5, WED is one of the principle vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.
The day's agenda is to:
- Give a human face to environmental issues;
- Empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development;
- Promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues;
- Advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.
June 6 - Clean Air Day
http://www.ec.gc.ca/sce-cew/default.asp?lang=En
The goal of Clean Air Day (CAD) is to increase public awareness and action on two key environmental priorities, clean air and climate change. And by utilizing a collaborative, decentralized approach, CAD has become the focal point for a wide variety of like-minded environmental, health and transportation activities all across the country.
June 8 - World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day, celebrated annually on June 8, provides an opportunity each year to celebrate our world ocean and our personal connection to the sea. The Ocean Project, working closely with the World Ocean Network each year, helps to coordinate events and activities with aquariums, zoos, museums, conservation organizations, universities, schools and businesses.
June 18 to 24, 2012 - Clean Air Commute
http://www.cleanaircommute.ca
The Clean Air Commute is an annual event organized by Pollution Probe. It serves as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to do whatever we can to reduce the amount of pollutants being released into the air by high volumes of vehicles traveling on our streets and highways.
July 16, 2011 – Canada’s Parks Day
Canada’s Parks Day 2012 will take place on Saturday, July 21 in order to highlight the integral role parks play in sustaining a healthy ecosystem, preserving habitats essential for at-risk species, and also for the benefit of human health and well being. Through the organization of family-oriented events in various parks across the country, these roles will be emphasized in a fun and educational manner.
September 16 - The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated on September 16 since 1995. This date has been designated by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 49/114, to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This commemoration around the world offers an opportunity to focus attention and action at the global, regional and national levels on the protection of the ozone layer.
September 23 to 29, 2012 - National Forest Week
http://www.canadianforestry.com
National Forest Week is a time to reflect on the important role that forests play in our daily lives and to celebrate Canadians' connection to the forest.
October 15 to 21, 2012 - Waste Reduction Week
Waste Reduction Week programs are developed and delivered by a coalition of 13 different recycling councils and sister organizations from across Canada. The Programs focus on the 3Es (Education, Engagement and Empowerment) of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.) The goal is to engage Canadians about the environmental and social ramifications of wasteful practices and to encourage them to make more environmentally conscious choices.
