Basseterre, St. Kitts (May 31, 2007): This year, World Environment Day draws attention to climate change and its impact on the environment.
This was revealed by Senior Environmental Officer Mr. Randolph Edmeade who noted that the polar regions of the world are being highlighted under the theme "Climate Change: A hot topic?" As such, the focus is on the impact of global warming on the polar icecaps and the resulting effect on other areas of the world, its species and inhabitants due to rising sea levels.
Mr. Edmeade explained that World Environment Day is a day set aside by the United Nations to focus attention on the environment by means of a variety of activities that take place internationally. He said the commemoration began in 1972 and has been celebrated every year on June 05.
This year, information released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) notes that "the most dramatic evidence of climate change is found in the polar regions," and "the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the global average."
It was revealed that "retreating sea ice is reducing habitat for vulnerable Arctic species and the changes will also affect Arctic indigenous communities who depend on the natural world, not just for food but for their cultural identity." In addition, "as sea levels rise, inhabitants of low lying islands and coastal cities throughout the world face inundation."
The Senior Environmental Officer noted that an activity involving the third and fourth form students of the high schools in St. Kitts, would include a slide-show presentation showing global warming, climate change and its effects. The occasion would also be used to plant and hand over a Poinciana tree, which bears the national flower, to each school. Mr. Edmeade noted that this was the tree of choice not simply because of patriotism but because it has been observed that the species has been dwindling in numbers locally, and this was his department's way of assisting in reversing this occurrence.
World Environment Day Activities also includes media appearances by the environmental officers to create public awareness on this year's theme and relevant issues.
