February 25, 2013 - The United Nations has designated Mongolia as the host for this
year’s celebration of World Environment Day on 5 June, which will focus on reducing
food waste and loss. The Asian nation has been chosen for its efforts to shift towards
a green economy in its major economic sectors such as mining and for promoting environmental
awareness among youth, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said in a news release
last week. “Mongolia is facing enormous challenges, including growing pressure on
food security, traditional nomadic herding and water supplies as a result of the impacts
of climate change,” said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. “Indeed it is estimated
that annual mean temperature has increased by over 2°C during the last 70 years and
precipitation has decreased in most regions, except the western part of the country,
indicating that Mongolia is among the most vulnerable nations in the world to global
warming. “Yet its Government is also determined to meet these challenges and seize
the opportunities of a less-polluting and more-sustainable future – from a moratorium
on new mining pending improved environmental regulations to plans to become a renewable
energy power-house and exporter of clean energy regionally,” he said. Observance of
World Environment Day began in 1972 as a way to raise awareness of the environment
and encourage political attention and action. This year’s theme for the Day is “Think.Eat.Save.
Reduce Your Foodprint,” which builds on a global campaign of the same name launched
earlier this year by UNEP, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other partners
to reduce food and waste loss.