Commemorated on 5 June, World Environment day is one of the principle vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances actions and engagement in environmental changes.

Climate change is now widely recognized as the defining challenges of our times.  
 
The effects of pollution and climate change are upon us, including:
•    Irreversible loss of resources including food and fuel stocks
•    Leading or due to unsustainable land use
•    Causing loss of flora and fauna
•    Rising temperatures
•    Extreme weather conditions
•    Food shortages
•    Less rainfall
•    Rising Sea levels
•    Dire economic consequences

The theme for World Environment Day 2009 is “Your Planet Needs You! Unite to Combat Climate Change”.  It raises the call for all, but especially the youths, to get involved, rethink one’s consumption and buying patterns in relation to both one’s psychological well-being as well as in relations to wastage, green house gas emissions and towards adopting a sustainable lifestyle.
World Environment Day is a people’s day, which means that it provides opportunities to all to be part of the global action to promote the protection of the climate, sustainable use of our resources, and the adoptions of a lifestyle that is friendly to the environment.  

Secretary General of UN – Ban Ki-moon
•    The economic and financial turmoil sweeping the globe is a true wake up call, sounding an alarm about the need to improve upon old patterns of growth and make a transition to a new era of greener, cleaner development. The theme – “Your Planet Needs You” is meant to inspire all.

Malaysia is part of the global family and is not spared in experiencing the effects of climate change. We have witnessed depleting fish stocks, hotter weather and freak flooding and very high number of dengue cases.