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Significant Dates - Environmental

There are a number of significant dates on environmental and climate justice issues. ETFO encourages schools and communities to recognized these dates.  

Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. 
 

Today, Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and create global, national and local policy changes. 
 

Now, the fight for a clean environment continues with increasing urgency, as the ravages of climate change become more and more apparent every day.  Read more at earthday.org
 

For more information go to the ETFO calendar page.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), "Since 2010, over a million Canadians have participated in National Sweater Day at their schools, workplaces and homes by turning down their thermostats and wearing their favourite sweaters to stay warm. National Sweater Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about climate change and energy conservation, and show how together - classroom-by-classroom, school-by-school - we can be a part of the solution." 
 

For further information visit: WWF - National Sweater Day, or go to the ETFO Calendar.

World Environment Day is the United Nations’ flagship day for promoting worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people in more than 100 countries. 
 

For further ideas and information, see World Environment Day, UN Environment Day Biodiversity and UN Environment​.​ 
 

For more information go to the ETFO calendar page.

The United Nations marks World Oceans Day each year on June 8. The day provides an opportunity to celebrate the importance of the ocean and to better understand how to interact with it in a sustainable manner. 

For more information go to the ETFO calendar page.

According to the UN World Water day website, "...As the global population grows, so does the demand for water, which depletes natural resources and damages the environment in many places. Fighting climate change will open up vast opportunities for the economy in many areas. We need to embrace circular production systems and use water much more efficiently. Climate change can feel scary and daunting. But there is one simple step you can take immediately that will make a big difference: don't waste water." 

For further information, see World Water Day, or go to the ETFO calendar page.

You can find online resources related to World Water Day.

On March 28, Canadians are asked to turn out the lights for an hour starting at 8:30 p.m. to draw attention to climate change. 

In Canada, populations of more than one-half of monitored species have already declined by 83 per cent on average since 1970. To reverse nature loss by 2030, every hour is important.

For further information, see Earth Hour's website.

For more information go to the ETFO calendar page.
 

In designating a World Bee Day, the UN is seeking “to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development.”  
 

“The greatest contribution of bees and other pollinators is the pollination of nearly three quarters of the plants that produce 90% of the world’s food. A third of the world’s food production depends on bees, i.e. every third spoonful of food depends on pollination.”  
 

For further information, see UN World Bee Day 20 May . 
 

For more information go to the ETFO calendar page.

World Food Day (WFD) was founded by the United Nations’ (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945, and has been observed annually, every October 16, since 1981. The event was established to increase awareness of world hunger and poverty and to inspire solutions for world change. For more information about recognition of the day in Canada click here
 

For more information go to the ETFO calendar page.

Waste Reduction Week in Canada (WRW) is a year-round program, focused on the principles of circular economy, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. The program’s primary purpose is to celebrate our environmental efforts and achievements while encouraging new innovative ideas and solutions. The celebratory nature of the campaign is what motivates learning and behaviour change. For more information go to wrwcanada.com. 
 

For more information go to the ETFO calendar page.

World Cleanup Day harnesses the power of everyday people to achieve incredible things by joining together. Its beauty lies in cooperation and collaboration: building bridges between disparate communities, and including all levels of society - from citizens to businesses, to government. Volunteers and partners worldwide come together to rid our planet of trash - cleaning up litter and mismanaged waste from our beaches, rivers, forests, and streets. World Cleanup Day is the biggest event organized by the global organization.  
 

For more information go to the ETFO calendar page.