What is World Environment Day? World Environment Day is the United Nations’ most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries. Above all World Environment Day serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something to take care of the Earth or become an agent of change.   Each World Environment Day is organized around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern. 2016 is themed on the illegal trade in wildlife under the slogan ‘Go Wild for Life'.

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Go Wild for Life The booming illegal trade in wildlife products is eroding Earth’s precious biodiversity and driving whole species to the brink of extinction. Huge efforts to counter the illicit trade - including stronger policies, awareness campaigns and investments in community conservation and law enforcement - have scored some great successes. However, many species remain at risk and it will take a dedicated and sustained effort by each and every one of us to make an impact. More people need to understand the damage this illicit business is doing to our environment, livelihoods, communities and security. We must change our habits and behaviour so that demand for illegal wildlife products falls. More awareness and action pushes governments to introduce and enforce tougher laws and combat those still willing to break them. This year’s world environment day theme – Go Wild for Life – encourages you to celebrate all those species under threat and take action of your own to help safeguard them for future generations. Whoever you are, and wherever you live, show zero-tolerance for the illegal trade in wildlife and make a difference.

OUR CELEBRITIES UNEP’s Goodwill Ambassadors are tireless champions of the environment. They lend their name and their fame to many of our most important initiatives, including World Environment Day.

Gisele Bündchen Supermodel Gisele Bündchen has been the face of countless global campaigns including: Apple, Dior, Dolce & Gabana and Ralph Lauren. One of the most famous models of all time, she is also recognized for her long-standing and passionate commitment to the environment. In her role as a Goodwill Ambassador, she has been the face of a number of UN campaigns, and undertaken field missions in Brazil and Kenya.

Yaya Toure Footballer Côte d'Ivoire Yaya Touré is an Ivorian international football star who plays for Manchester City. He has been named African Footballer of the Year four times. Yaya was a guest of honour at the world environment day 2015 celebrations in Milan where he took part in a cooking demonstration to teach children about reducing food waste. He has supported numerous other UNEP and world environment day initiatives.

Don Cheadle Actor U.S.A. Don Cheadle is an actor best known for his roles in Out of Sight, Traffic, Ocean's Eleven and Hotel Rwanda. He has helped promote world environment day and its themes for several years.

What You and I Can Do Become more aware of how illegal wildlife trade harms people. Share with family and friends what you learn about illegal wildlife trade and efforts to combat it. Be a conscious shopper at home or when traveling abroad.  If you see suspicious products, speak up. Support enforcement of laws. Pray for stronger stewardship for the common good.  

We pray for the preservation of wildlife habitats, for the health of the oceans and for the purity of the air. We pray for the well-being of all of the beautiful creatures of God’s great earth, especially those that are endangered and facing extinction. We pray that we might structure our lives, our livelihoods, and our economies in ways that respect and preserve the Earth. Amen