WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2016
World Environment Day 2016
What is WED
World Environment Day aims to inspire more people than ever before to take action to prevent the growing strain on planet Earth ’ s natural systems from reaching the breaking point . The 2016 theme highlights the fight against the illegal trade in wildlife , which erodes precious biodiversity and threatens the survival of elephants , rhinos and tigers , as well as many other species . It also undermines our economies , communities and security . This year ’ s slogan “ Go Wild for Life ” encourages you to spread the word about wildlife crime and the damage it does , and to challenge all those around you to do what they can to prevent it .
The Theme Go Wild For Life
Zero Tolerance For The Illegal Wildlife Trade
Go Wild for Life
The booming illegal trade in wildlife products is eroding Earth ’ s precious biodiversity , robbing us of our natural heritage and driving whole species to the brink of extinction . The killing and smuggling is also undermining economies and ecoystems , fuelling organized crime , and feeding corruption and insecurity across the globe .
Wildlife crime endangers iconic elephants , rhinos , tigers , gorillas and sea turtles . In 2011 , a subspecies of Javan rhino went extinct in Vietnam , while the last western black rhinos vanished from Cameroon the same year .
Great apes have disappeared from Gambia , Burkina Faso , Benin and Togo , and other countries could quickly follow . Lesser-known victims include helmeted hornbills and pangolins as well as wild orchids and timbers like Rosewood – flowers and timber are also considered wildlife !
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 turn the tide .
How can we do it ? 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 and international bodies to introduce and enforce tougher laws and combat those still willing to break them .
This year ’ s theme for WED – 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 . This can be about animals or plants that are threatened within your local area as well as at the national or global level - many local extinctions will eventually add up to a global extinction ! Whoever you are , and wherever you live , show zero-tolerance for the illegal trade in wildlife in word and deed , and make a difference .
14 Africa Water , Sanitation & Hygiene • May - June 2016