News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The following message was issued today by Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle:

Each year, during the first week in June, New Brunswickers are invited to recognize and participate in Canadian Environment Week. The week is held each year to coincide with World Environment Day on June 5, World Oceans Day on June 8 and Clean Air Day on the first Wednesday of June.

This year, it is Canada’s turn to host World Environment Day through the theme Connecting People to Nature. This theme encourages us to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share.

In that context, I encourage New Brunswickers to connect with nature in their own ways whether it is by visiting a national, provincial or municipal park, learning about conservation initiatives in their neighborhoods, or learning about the diverse species that live in protected areas. I invite everyone to share a photo or video of their favorite place in nature using #WorldEnvironmentDay or #WithNature along with a description explaining why it is special to you.

World Environment Day was designated by the United Nations in 1972 and is one of the many ways we can collectively raise awareness of global environmental issues, like climate change, and encourage action towards a sustainable planet.

Clean Air Day is a celebration of eco-friendly activities that promote clean air and healthy living across Canada. It is a perfect time to remind New Brunswickers of the benefits of adopting new habits to reduce emissions, like walking to work or school, carpooling, planting trees, composting organic waste and diverting waste from landfills by recycling.

World Oceans Day is an opportunity to remember the important role of our oceans. New Brunswick is blessed with 2,250 km of coastline and we must protect this important natural resource. That means working to mitigate coastal erosion, respecting the ocean habitat, wetlands, and rivers and protecting our parks and beaches.

I encourage New Brunswickers to celebrate Canadian Environment Week. Let us all be mindful of how we can reduce our personal carbon footprint and environmental impact each and every day.