The United Nation’s version of Earth Day, World Environment Day will be observed in many of our countries around the world on Friday, June 5. It is being officially hosted by Colombia and Germany with a theme of biodiversity. We hope you will take part wherever you are.

The World Environment Day webpage is here.

There will probably be a number of webinars and other online events marking the day. One that we are aware of is Connexions: Sustainable Food, Ecosystems and Biodiversity sponsored by the UNESCO Chair on Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies.

In this webinar we’ll explore why biodiversity and ecosystems management are important components for building sustainable food systems. You’ll hear from researchers working directly with communities engaged in food production practices that are centred on biodiverse ecosystems. Drawing on community-based research in Brazil, Ecuador, and the Northwest Territories, you’ll learn about the unique challenges facing food systems actors and how communities are using agroforestry and other ecological food production principles to guide their work. 

Register for the webinar here.

If you want resources for your church, check out EFICOR’s Eco-Sunday materials here.

Are you ready for the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly that will take place in Nairobi 22-26 February 2021. The theme for the fifth session has been decided by the Bureau of the Assembly and reads as follows: “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”.  Although UNEA is still over a year ahead, but it is now where we start debating relevant issues, propose resolutions for adoption, preparing papers for submission and planning for special events. I will keep everyone informed of the progression of the preparations, but certainly we need to reflect on the faith-based perspectives of what is meant by “Strengthening Actions for Nature”? Last UNEA. We had 200 faith leaders participating for the first time, but with more than 45 FBOs already accredited to UNEP, we are expecting not only a massive participation, but also policy implications and impact. Please keep monitoring the UNEA space.