Toronto/CMEDIA: World Environment Day was reportedly celebrated June 5 in Toronto’s Harbourfront neighbourhood by Toronto’s Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik (Spadina-Fort York) and Councillor Dianne Saxe (University-Rosedale) joined by former Lieutenant Governor, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, and Rafael Peralta, Director, United Nations Environment Programme, North America.
Honoured to be designated as the World Environment Day host city for North America, City of Toronto is recognized as a climate leader as seen through the City’s prioritization of circular innovation, environmental sustainability and urban forestry management.
“World Environment Day is a global call to action…make our cities and planet healthier, more sustainable and resilient. Toronto is proud to be recognized…as a climate leader in circular innovation, urban forest management, and environmental sustainability,” Malik reportedly said.
World Environment Day is celebrated globally each year on June 5 to raise awareness of and encourage action for environmental protection.
Highlights the growing global crisis of plastic pollution, this year’s theme of “Beat Plastic Pollution” encourages governments, businesses, communities and individuals to rethink how they use and dispose of plastic.
Established in 1973 by the United Nations General Assembly, the World Environment Day now engages more than 150 countries in addressing environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainability and pollution.
Featuring the declaration of Toronto as North America’s host city, along with a “trash-trapping” demonstration in Lake Ontario, the event is led by the University of Toronto’s Trash Team – a science-based community outreach organization of students, researchers, staff and volunteers who work to reduce plastic pollution in the city’s ecosystems and increase waste literacy in the community.
“Every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of…Plastic pollution is a global problem that calls for collective action…encouraging individuals, organizations, industries, cities and governments to adopt sustainable practices that drive systemic change,” said Rafael.
Involving floating trash cans, trash trapping clean up litter from the water’s surface by pumping water through a mesh bag that creates a vacuum and draws in floating debris.
More information about trash trapping can be found on the University of Toronto’s website: www.uofttrashteam.ca/trappingtrash .
World Environment Day Picnic Celebration
The City will host a World Environment Day Picnic Celebration at Christie Pits Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat, June 7 featuring live music by local artists, food vendors using reusable dishware, eco-friendly pop-ups, fun family activities, a tree and pollinator-friendly native plant giveaway and more.
More information is available on the City’s website: www.toronto.ca/world-environment-day-picnic-celebration.
Committed to environmental responsibility through local partnerships, the City’s targeted programs include the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy.
Toronto is taking meaningful action on climate change by promoting reuse and repair, reducing plastic waste, expanding the urban tree canopy and supporting businesses, industries and residents in adopting sustainable practices.
Reflecting Toronto’s commitment to expanding and maintaining its urban forest across all communities, the City has been recognized globally as a leader in urban forest management and biodiversity conservation.
Named as Role Model City in the United Nations Environment Programme’s Generation Restoration, the city has been designated as Tree City of the World for the last six consecutive years.
“In these challenging times, World Environment Day celebrates the amazing natural planet that we share and must look after. Whether it’s reducing plastic, cutting fossil fuels, or protecting nature, every choice can bring us closer to a livable future for all. I will not eat from plastic today, what about you?, Saxr reportedly said.
