Global landmarks lit in green for World Environment Day

CAIRO – 6 June 2017: The Pyramids of Egypt, the Cedars of God in Lebanon and other global landmarks were lit up in green on World Environment Day Monday.

Thirty of the world’s most famous monuments, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, were lit up in green in honor of the environment and in respect for nature. The Cedars of God Forests in Lebanon, Niagara Falls, the Statue of the Redeemer in Rio, Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Empire State Building in New York were also amongst the monuments that were illuminated in green.

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 each year, and this year Canada hosted the major events regarding the day with the theme “Connecting People to Nature.”

This theme focuses on the many benefits of food security and climate stability, which are provided by a cleaner environment. The theme also encourages people to go out into the open air, where they can bond with nature, since that will aid people’s mental and physical health.

“Our whole modern life, with skyscrapers and smart phones, depends on a sensitive basis of natural systems,” said Eric Solheim, president of the United Nations Environment Program. “Today, these foundations, undermined by man-made climate change, deforestation and species extinction, are shaking. No advanced technology will save us if we destroy and pollute our natural lifeline - nature.”

Governments across six continents are trying to increase awareness of newly-protected marine areas, with the goal of maintaining a tenth of the world’s oceans by the year 2020. This initiative is not enough however, since some studies show serious neglect when managing and protecting these areas.

Thousands of people joined activities promoting protection of the environment by cleaning beaches and gardens. From June 1 through June 12, more than 20,000 schoolchildren, scientists, politicians and celebrities around the world will be involved in a campaign to prepare the largest list of species they find and know of, using the iNaturalist application. This list will document more than a quarter of a million creatures from back yards, parks and reserves.