Photo: Iguazu Falls, Argentina-Brazil, 2000

The mysterious and the mundane, the sacred and the profane are all part of the environment that makes up the Americas. Rural villagers share with urban dwellers the need to protect water, land, air, and health.

June 5th marks World Environment Day and, this year in particular, it paves the road to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, commonly referred to as Rio +20, which will be held June 20-22. Twenty years after the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the United Nations once again convenes governments, international institutions and major groups to discuss important topics such as economic growth, advancement of social equity and environmental protection. Rio +20 is an opportunity for global leaders and stakeholders to identify and devise pathways to a safer, more equitable, cleaner, greener and more prosperous world.

• Portal of Resources on Sustainable Development and Health