By Francesca Davidson
Across the country young environmentalists have begun organising World Environment Day. On June 5 a variety of activities are planned to highlight the need for community action for environmental justice.
June 5 was designated World Environment Day in 1972 by the United Nations to recognise the centrality of the environment to human survival. The day was to involve people in environmental action and to increase awareness and understanding of environmental issues.
Although the day was not initially identified by many countries as important, with the growth of the environmental movement in the 1970s and 1980s, World Environment Day was taken up and is now celebrated around the world by activists and concerned communities.
Each year World Environment Day has a different theme. When national actions on the day in Australia began in 1990, land care was the theme. Since 1990 the themes have tended to be broader in an attempt to be more inclusive and tackle some of the causes of environmental destruction.
1991 took on an internationalist theme — "One people, one struggle, one chance" — and highlighted the struggles of indigenous people to save their environment and cultures from destruction. In 1992, Environmental Youth Alliance, the main organiser, focused on the Earth Summit being held in Brazil that year. We attempted to influence the gathering to take a stronger stand for our planet and people. Last year, the theme "Livable Cities Now" took up the issues of urban pollution and public transport particularly.
EYA took on the organising of World Environment Day in 1992 because it felt it was important to have a national day of action that highlighted the environmental crisis. It is crucial to bring as many people together as possible in the environment movement. Coming together on World Environment Day gives us a sense of unity and is the only national day that the green movement gets together and shows its breadth and strength.
This year's theme is "Young people and communities for environmental justice". The aim is to focus on the need to link up with community and social justice groups. As environmentalists make the connection between environmental and social justice, social justice groups need to do likewise.
A variety of different organisations are involved in World Environment Day organising committees this year, and many more have agreed to sponsor the day. These range from university SRCs to local green groups, youth organisations such as Resistance and bike shops.
Meetings have been planned on campuses nationally to build the day. EYA activist Nikki Ulasowski from Brisbane said, "It's going to be crucial that student activists get together to build the day. Finding solutions to environmental destruction is one of the most fundamental tasks facing our generation. In the same way that activists in the '60s protested the Vietnam war or in the '80s participated in the Palm Sunday marches, we need to get out and support the demand for an environmentally friendly world."
Activities on campuses will range from street theatre to forums on environmental issues and stalls.
In addition to the national theme, each city will have its own local theme. Melbourne wants to put together speakers highlighting a range of issues, according to Lachlan Anderson. In particular they want to focus on the 50th anniversary of the World Bank and IMF, institutions that have caused so much destruction in the Third World. There will also be speakers on the East Gippsland forest campaign, toxic waste, public transport and air pollution.
EYA plans to continue doing high school tours to publicise the day, putting out posters and leaflets. If any other organisation would like to be involved or has ideas for some activity it could organise for the day, please contact Francesca on (02) 690 1230.