World Events in 2010

2 February	World Wetlands Day - This day marks the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in Iran, raising awareness of the importance & benefits of wetlands. Read the reports of what happened around the world.
22 March	World Water Day. The theme is Clean Water for a Healthy World. The site does not give much idea as to how you & I personally can get involved, but we can increase our understanding by reading the UN booklet, Water for Life, and considering ways in which each of us can do more to save water e.g. turning tap of when cleaning our teeth, having a shower not a bath, using water barrels to catch rainwater, giving a permanent water trough or a portable one for the hardworking horses & ponies the Brooke helps in countries around the world.
27 March	Earth Hour, organised by the WWF. Turn out your lights at 8:30pm local time to you & join in millions of other people around the world. This act will show that millions of us, working together, can make an impact. One action by one person, repeated world over. Together we can make a difference.
2 May	International Dawn Chorus. Get up at 4am, make yourself a cup of tea and just listen to the wonderful music outside. How do birds manage to be so cheerful at that time of day?! Celebrate nature's daily miracle.
22 May	International Day for Biological Diversity. This year's theme is Biodiversity, Development & Poverty Alleviation - Recognising the role of Biodiversity for Human Well-being. There's a very informative PDF about it here. (Next year's theme is Biodiversity & Forests)
5 June	World Environment Day (WED): Many species, one planet, one future is the theme this year, promoting the central importance to humanity of the globe's wealth of species & ecosystems. The Day also supports the UN's International Year of Biodiversity. There are lots of tips on daily living (many of which you may already do but check to see if you can get some fresh ideas) Rwanda is the 2010 WED host. Suggest a WED hero - an inspiring environmental activist.
8 June	World Ocean Day This is an opportunity to celebrate the oceans of the world & this year's theme is "Oceans of Life". A variety of events will be taking place around the world - keep checking back with the site, as I'm sure these will be added to. There are things each of us can do, including "wear blue, & tell two" people about actions you're taking, which could include taking the 7 Cs pledge
3 September	Organic Fortnight starts. If you think of the word "organic" and then think of the word "expensive", the Soil Association has tips on how you can go organic on a budget & gives 5 good reasons to go organic. You can go organic in your skin care too - check out Green People. Organic benefits wildlife: a scientifc review published back in 2004 by English Nature & the RSPB found that there are more birds, butterflies, beetles, bats & wild flowers on organic farms than non-organic farms. You can also read the Biodiversity Benefits of Organic Farming, a report produced by the WWF in 2000.
17-19 September	Clean up the World inspires communities to clean up, fix up & preserve their environment by encouraging people to get involved in activities such as tree planting, waste removal & energy conservation projects. It runs in partnership with the UN Environment Programme. Read the brochure here
4 October	World Animal Day, amongst other things, it celebrates the bond between animals & people, and gives individuals like you & me the chance to make our own pledge to do what we can to help the animal kingdom. It's on the 4th October, birthday to St Francis of Assissi, Patron Saint of animals. Read the pledges - what struck me was how international this day is and how many wonderful people from all over the world want to help & make a difference to all creatures, great and small
October	Biodiversity Summit in Nagoya, Japan. Back in 2002, the 200 countries which had signed up to the Convention on Biological Diversity had promised to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss at a global, regional & national level by 2010. They will each report back at this summit in Japan on how the progress they have made in this respect, and on their plans for the future.