The World Environment day is celebrated annually on 5^th June. This is one of the most important celebrations for the United Nations (UN). The UN hopes to inspire people to pay more attention to the environment and become more aware that everyone must put into practice measures for protecting our planet.

    The Environment Council and the Environmental Protection Department of Hong Kong, Guangdong, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, Dongguan and some local institutions organized the joint campaign "2 Regions and 5 Cities" on World Environment Day. The event took place at Macao Forum on 31^st May 2008 at 15:00. The organizing entities also counted on the collaboration of the Macao General Union of Neighbours Associations, Macao Federation of Trade Unions, Macao Women's Association, Macao Chong Wa Students' Association, Macao Scouts' Association, and Macao Flying Eagle Club. The messages, for the need of paying more attention to greenhouse effect, adopting a low carbon emission style of life, and raising our environmental awareness, delivered to participants through games, dances, performances and songs. Around 1500 participants joined this event.

    2008 World Environment Day's topic was "Kick the habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy" because greenhouse effect influenced people's lives daily and the greenhouse gas (mainly CO₂) does not seem to decrease. This is why the United Nations have chosen this topic so that governments, enterprises and citizens adopt measures for abounding old habits that are the origin of the emission of greenhouse gases. If we make a transition from current economy to a cleaner and greener economy, the main focus will definitely be a dramatic reduction of the inefficient use of fossil fuels together with an increase use of renewable energy. The United Nations introduced 12 steps for materialize such change, namely the use of public transportation or bicycle, switch off of electronic devices when not being used, replacement of conventional bulbs for energetically efficient ones, setting washing machines temperature to 30^o C or less, not leaving electronic devices on stand-by mode or opting for the use of renewable energy, and so on. In conclusion what is asked to people is that they change their old habits into a low carbon life style that means a reduction of greenhouse effect gases.

    The event counted on the presence of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr. Lau Si Io, the president of the General Council of the Environment Council, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the acting president of the Executive Committee of the Environment Council, Ms. Vong Man Hung; the Coordinator of the Center for Environmental Awareness and Education of Guangdong Environmental Protection Department, Mr. Zhou Xinmin; Assistant Director of the Municipal Department of Zhuhai Environmental Protection, Mr. Chen Jinhua; Sub-director of the Municipal Department of Zhongshan Environmental Protection Department, Mr. Yu Jianhua; the Coordinator of the Center for Environmental Awareness and Education of Shenzhen Environmental Protection Department, Mr. Sun Jingfeng; Sub-coordinator of the Center for Environmental Awareness and Education of Guangdong Environmental Protection Department, Mr. Ma Zhenggang; sub-researcher of Dongguan Municipal Environmental Protection Department, Mr. Guo Wenfang; the vice president of Macao General Union of Neighbours Associations, Mr. Chui Sai Peng; president of the Macao Federation of Trade Unions, Mr. Chan Kam Meng; president of Macao Women's Association, Ms. Chio Ngan Ieng; vice president of Macao Chong Wa Students' Association, Mr. Wong Ka Leong; vice administrator of Macao Scouts' Association, Mr. Chou Yan Kwai and assistant administrator of Macao Flying Eagle Club, Mr. Sam Kee Cheong.

    The joint Campaign 2 Regions and 5 Cities on World Environment Day is an activity organized by the Environment Council for commemorate this day. Other activities are on the agenda for disclosing a permanent environmental protection message to residents.