World Environment Day
– June 5, 2024 – is an international collaboration led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to stage events to promote environmental protection and awareness. Millions of people participate in events around the world, and the Long Point Biosphere Region encourages everyone to use the occasion to learn more about the important issues facing the natural environment locally and globally.
In Norfolk County, you might visit some of the Amazing Places promoting sustainability in our area. One local business that will be taking advantage of the occasion is the Joy Bakery Café in downtown Simcoe where information on the Biosphere and other local environmental organizations will be available. The Joy Bakery Café has championed sustainable practices since it opened some seven years ago by, for example, ensuring its cups, straws, and other items are compostable and planting a tree for every day it has been in business.
This practice has particular importance this year as World Environment Day 2024 will focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. Land restoration is a key pillar of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a rallying call for the revival of ecosystems all around the world, which are critical to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.