By Thomas Kagera 

Today, Rwanda joins the rest of the world to mark the World Environment Day (WED) which has been celebrated annually on 5th June since 1972 after its declaration by the United Nations General Assembly. The day has grown in importance as a platform for stimulating worldwide awareness on environment and Climate Change to encourage political attention for positive environmental action and involve communities in greater depth to participate in environment conservation programmes.

This year, the World Environment Day is celebrated for the 42nd time globally, and for the 21st time in Rwanda where the National Environment Week (NEW) is earmarked for raising awareness on environment and climate change. This year’s theme is; "Raise your voice, Not the sea level”. The most important goal of WED 2014 theme is to promote activities aimed adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change.

AWARENESS 

The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) is the institution mandated to facilitate coordination and oversight of the implementation of national environmental policy and the subsequent legislation. REMA has a key role to play towards the achievement of the national goal of sustainable development as set out in the EDPRS and Vision 2020 by ensuring green growth.