Ontario Hansard - 06-June - 2006

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): Yesterday, June 5, was World Environment Day. It's an annual event that has taken place since 1974. This year's theme was Deserts and Desertification -- Don't Desert Drylands. It was celebrated around the world in more than 100 countries, with municipalities, businesses and communities all taking part. Protecting the world we live in is something that can unite people from all around the world, regardless of what country or continent they come from. It is a day when we can focus worldwide attention on the importance of our environment. The health of our planet affects us all.

Drylands contain 43% of the world's cultivated lands, but each year an estimated US$42 billion is lost from agricultural production due to land degradation.

In past years, World Environment Day has focused on green cities, seas and oceans, water, the world wide web of life, and children and the environment. The theme of the first World Environment Day was Only One Earth. I believe this clearly sums up the important work done each and every day since then.