Frequently Asked Questions


What is World Environment Day?

World Environment Day (WED) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, created the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which oversees WED. Commemorated each year on June 5, WED stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. With thousands of events in UNEP's six global regions — North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, West Asia and Europe — WED is considered one of the largest environmental events of its kind.

WED is designed to:

On WED, political and environmental leaders deliver statements, commit themselves to care for the Earth and make pledges that lead to the establishment of permanent governmental structures dealing with environmental management. WED also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions. But WED also is a people's event. People around the globe celebrate with colorful activities such as street rallies, city-wide walks, scientific forums, bicycle parades, green concerts, essays and poster competitions in schools, tree plantings, as well as recycling and clean-up campaigns.


Why was Pittsburgh selected as the North American host city?

UNEP bestowed this honor in response to Pittsburgh's story of transformation and its commitment to sustainable development. Certainly, the spotlight from the G-20 Summit in September contributed the selection as did leadership from Bayer Corporation, which has been a supporting partner of UNEP on WED events around the globe. UNEP specifically noted Pittsburgh's remarkable progress in restoring its biodiversity, improving its economy and environment and the symbolism of its location at the headwaters of the Ohio River system.


What is the meaning of selection as host city?

Selection as host city provides a global stamp of approval for the region's progress in and commitment to improving its environment. In addition to permission to use the WED marks and endorsement in marketing initiatives, UNEP will support the effort through publicity on its Web sites and by facilitating global connections with experts and partners to ensure a successful celebration.

UNEP has determined that the 37th annual WED will focus on the theme "Biodiversity — Ecosystems and the Green Economy." In a sense, UNEP has given license and a brand for Pittsburgh to put to good use consistent with the WED goals. UNEP expects the organizers to facilitate as much grassroots participation as possible and to emphasize improvement to the environment and economy.

Additional interests special to the Pittsburgh region include tie-in to the three rivers and matters where the region has leadership, opportunities and challenges that are nationally and internationally relevant. UNEP is especially interested in finding ways to tie WED to Earth Day, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary on April 22, 2010, creating a six-week period for action to improve the region's policy and practice of sustainable development. Accordingly, UNEP embraced Pittsburgh's emphasis on water and biodiversity issues. "Water Matters!" is the theme.


Will there be an influx of visitors, heads of state, security or demonstrators?

While it is up to our region to make of WED what it desires, WED does not automatically bring large international delegations. Tourism may be generated for public events, such as those tied to Great Outdoors Week, the Three Rivers Arts Festival and Earth Day. A few large public events in the city and smaller ones around the region are anticipated but not to the scale of the G-20 Summit. Demonstrations are a possibility but nowhere near the level that surrounded the G-20.


Who is coordinating WED?

The six-week "bridge period" from Earth Day to WED presents tremendous opportunity for core organized events and independently organized activities in the region. Ideally, these events and activities will share a purpose or theme that supports the overall mission of WED.

A leadership group comprised of UNEP, Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh and Sustainable Pittsburgh operates in a partnership similar to that used during the buildup to the G-20 Summit. There is no steering committee. Instead, a number of working groups coordinate different elements of the plan and report to representatives of the founding partners on a regular basis. Sustainable Pittsburgh serves as the fiduciary for a core suite of activities. It also serves as the convener, encouraging community coordination while facilitating core activities, including a global water conference, communication and community engagement.


Why Sustainable Pittsburgh?

Earlier this year, Sustainable Pittsburgh convened community leaders, including a number of major foundations, for a series of deliberations on establishing 2010 as the year of sustainability for the region. While the concept was generally embraced, the economy and other pressing regional issues took precedent. When the opportunity to host WED arose, parallels to those earlier discussions were striking. The table was set to reconvene and continue the momentum created by the G-20.


What is the plan?

Building on the earlier discussions about 2010 and at the request of UNEP and Bayer Corporation, which played a key role in bringing WED to Pittsburgh, Sustainable Pittsburgh convened a small group with representatives of government, civic and business sectors. The initial framing has led to the following three goals:

Consistent with these goals, there is interest in a range of activities, such as an international water and biodiversity conference, youth events, economic analysis of the region's business of water, communications, outreach, public education, public events and perhaps to provide limited resources to enable community initiatives on an application basis, etc.

Certain "anchor" elements during the six-week period were scheduled prior to the WED announcement, including the following: The International Children's Painting Competition, which UNEP annually hosts; GlobalPittsburgh's International Bridge Awards and a related global business conference on energy and the environment on April 21; Earth Day on April 22; Great Outdoors Week from May 14-23; Pedal Pittsburgh, 10th Annual Venture Outdoors Festival on May 22; Rachel Carson Legacy Event on May 27;Three Rivers Arts Festival beginning June 4; and World Environment Day on June 5.

The intent is to leverage these events and to fill the six-week period with independently organized activities in the region, ideally with a shared purpose or theme designed to support the overall mission of galvanizing action for hastening our region's sustainable development.


What is the cost? Who will pay?

The core budget is under development. Early response from funders has been strong, but their appetite is not unlimited. Maximizing the opportunity against limited resources will require true collaboration.


How can my organization get involved?

Consider the goals noted above and reach out to your stakeholders for ideas. Create plans to use the six-week period to galvanize your constituents and neighbors into action relative to clean water and biodiversity for the region's sustainability.

Visit www.PittsburghWED.com and register to receive updates.


UNEP