As we quickly approach Earth Day on the 22 April and as the Melbourne Social Forum launches tonight, so too looms World Environment Day on June 5. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, World Environment Day celebrates people’s achievements to create a more sustainable future.

This year, the UNEP World Environment Day theme is ‘Melting Ice - A Hot Topic?’ focuses world attention on issues of climate change. Nominations are now open for people and organistations who have demonstrated excellence in the following categories:

• Sustainability Victoria Meeting the Greenhouse Challenge Award
• Signode Education / School Award
• Lincolne Scott Triple Bottom Line Award
• Business Enterprise Awards
• Local Government Awards
• Szencorp Green Building Award
• DSE Excellence in Marine and Coastal Management Award
• Excellence in Water Management Award
• Community Award
• Individual Award
• Media Award for Environmental Reporting

Nominations close Wednesday 9 May 2007. For more information or to download nomination forms, please visit the United Nations Victoria website.