Every individual can make a positive change in his or her environment, just by doing simple things like recycling or conserving water. But when a large group of like-minded people get together to discuss how to better protect the environment, the fact is, they can change the world.

World Environment Day (WED), established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, aims to do just that. Celebrated each year on June 5, and overseen by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it is designed to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and bring about political attention and action. Six global regions—North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, West Asia and Europe—host thousands of events to give a human face to environmental issues. And this year, Pittsburgh will be serving as the North American host city for the 38^th annual celebration.

“After the success of the G-20 Summit, as the North American Host City for World Environment Day, Pittsburgh has a chance once again to be in the global spotlight,” explained Rebecca Lucore, executive director, Bayer USA Foundation. Bayer has partnered with UNEP for the past four years on World Environment Day events. “The city has the opportunity to latch onto something truly important, and to get engaged in regional and worldwide issues.”

According to the Pittsburgh World Environment Day website, (www.pittsburghwed.com), once considered the “smoky city,” Pittsburgh is now globally recognized as a green leader that has successfully managed to improve its economy and environmental stewardship. The city’s transformation conforms nicely with WED’s goals to empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development to promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes toward environmental issues and to advocate partnerships that will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. The theme of this year’s World Environment Day is Many Species. One Planet. One Future the theme for the Pittsburgh region is Water Matters!

As a city that sits at the convergence of three rivers, Pittsburgh is the perfect place to host Water Matters! Global Water Conference, featuring speakers from all over North America. “To date, we have more than 900 people coming in for this conference, which will take place on June 3,” said Lucore. The conference will be a milestone for the region in establishing water as imperative to prosperity—life, health, recreation, industry and competitiveness—and will galvanize the region to address water challenges and opportunities, and be a leader in providing sustainable water solutions for the world.

“On June 4, we will also be holding Water Matters to Youth, a program where children will focus on some of the same issues—such as the global water shortage, conservation and watershed protection—as adults,” said Lucore. The event, which will be held at the Carnegie Science Center, will feature astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African-American women in space.

From June 4 to August 1, the public is invited to visit the Annual International Children’s Painting Competition exhibit, sponsored by UNEP, Bayer Corporation and Nikon Corporation, which will be displayed at the Children’s Museum. “More than 75 pieces were chosen from artwork submitted by children from all over North America, all of which feature a biodiversity theme,” said Lucore.

And the events don’t stop there. On June 5, Venture Outdoors is sponsoring Paddle at the Point, during which they are trying to set a new Guinness World Record™ for having the ‘largest flotilla of kayaks and canoes’ on the water in one place. The organization needs 1,105 boats to break the old record.

This year’s Three Rivers Arts Festival, which opens on June 5, is also focusing on the environment. “The Three Rivers Arts Festival is doing a great job of showing the convergence of art and the environment,” said Lucore. One of the highlights of the event will be the ORSANCO traveling exhibit featuring a 200-gallon tank filled with species fished from local rivers.

What’s perhaps best about holding World Environment Day in Pittsburgh, however, is that lessons learned and ideas generated during the event will continue to benefit the region. “I definitely believe that discussions among the different groups and partnerships will continue,” said Lucore. “There are so many good ideas out there. When you are chosen as the host city, you don’t embrace it that year and then let it go next year, we’ll be figuring out even more ways to celebrate World Environment Day.”

For more information on events and activities during World Environment Day, visit www.pittsburghwed.com.