Taking Action for our Environment
(NC)-Canada is the second-largest country on Earth and among the richest in natural resources. Our land is vast and fertile, and our lakes and rivers contain much of the world’s renewable water supply. For nearly four decades, Canadian Environment Week has encouraged Canadians to celebrate our environmental legacy by adopting a greener lifestyle.
Focused on the theme “Taking Acting for our Environment”, Environment Week is held the first week of June. It coincides with World Environment Day (June 5), designated by the United Nations in 1972 to stimulate political and public action on the environment and on sustainable and equitable development.
Thousands of events are being held in communities, workplaces, and schools across Canada to raise awareness of the need to preserve, protect, and help restore our environment. These range from nature walks, recycled art fairs, bicycle parades, and green concerts to tree planting, clean-up campaigns, presentations, and contests.
Some of this year’s events will give Canadians the unique opportunity to learn more about the North and the importance of the polar regions, as 2007-08 also marks International Polar Year, the largest-ever international program of scientific research on the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
The Commuter Challenge (June 3-9) is a transportation-based event in which individuals, organizations, and communities compete to cut emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Canadians can contribute by walking, cycling, in-line skating, carpooling, taking public transit, or even working from home. Last year, nearly 40,000 participants travelled 3.5 million sustainable kilometres. http://www.commuterchallenge.ca
Taking action on clean air and climate change is also the focus of Clean Air Day (June 6), when Canadians are invited to participate in activities that contribute to cleaner air and healthier communities. www.cleanairday.com
Also celebrated during Environment Week, Oceans Day (June 
is an international celebration that raises awareness about the critical role of oceans worldwide.
Although every step we take as individuals adds up to environmental benefits, some Canadians go above and beyond in their efforts to make a difference. These exceptional people are honoured at the annual Canadian Environment Awards (June 4), which will be held this year at the Montréal Science Centre. http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/cea2007/gala.asp
While Environment Week is an opportunity to learn more about environmental issues and how day-to-day decisions affect the natural world, a greener lifestyle is a year-round commitment. You can do your part at home, at work, and in your community by
. driving less and taking public transit, cycling, car-pooling, or walking instead,
. using water and energy wisely, and
. reducing, reusing, and recycling.
For more information on Environment Week 2007 activities, visit http://www.ec.gc.ca/cew.
Credit: www.newscanada.com