World Environment Day – June 5th, 2006

Algiers is the city hosting events for the United Nations celebration of World Environment Day. The day also commemorates the formation of the United Nations Environment Programme. The focus of this year’s WED is on deserts and desertification. Deserts cover more than 40% of the globe and the drylands are being decimated by climate change, high water demands, and tourism, among many other factors. The UN Ecosystem Assessment has pointed out that it is easier to prevent damage to the fragile desert terrain than to reverse it, therefore education and sustainable practices are being emphasized. To find out more about the UNEP read here.