From June 1st to June 5th, San Francisco is hosting the U.N. World Environment Week. People who are slated to attend the conference include UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Klaus Toepfer, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and mayors from London, Shanghai, Kabul, Buenos Aires, Sydney, Phnom Penh, Jakarta, Rome, and Istanbul. Indigenous peoples such as the Muwekma Ohlone are critical of non-governmental organizations' participation in World Environment Day. Local racial justice organizations are organizing their own events during the week. Audio interviews | Photos from this week's events: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

SF Mayor Gavin Newsom has said, "I look forward to working closely with leaders of the world's major cities to establish guidelines for environmentally sensible urban life...This conference is a remarkable opportunity for all of us." Newsom will preside over opening ceremonies at Civic Center Plaza at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 2nd, at a "free public celebration to kick off both the conference and the California Tomorrow Festival, the public’s chance to experience first-hand cutting edge environmental solutions."

The Coalition to Evict PG&E says, "This is truly a remarkable opportunity for all of us...because poor communities of color are NEVER invited to the eco-elite table! Please join us as we demand environmental justice NOW!" Events during the week will include a theatrical performance called "Body Burden Show" about environmental health and breast cancer on Monday, May 30th at Balazo Gallery's new location; a Wednesday, June 1st Decorate the Cities and Welcome the Mayors event that is intended to show the mayors how green San Francisco is; a Thursday, June 2nd display of the baby clothes project to say, For Our Children's Sake; Shut down the PG&E Hunters Point Power Plant!; a Friday, June 3rd Bayview Hunters Point Toxic Tour for Mayors; a Saturday, June 4th Rally for Environmental Justice at San Francisco City Hall (Flyer); an Environmental Health & Justice Block Party in West Oakland; and a Night of Culture & Celebration of Environmental Justice in San Francisco. Event Details

The Ella Baker Center will be launching a new think tank project called Reclaim the Future, and has organized a Social Equity Track Calendar of Events for WED week. 5/28 Update with corrections to times for several social justice track events.

World Environment Day 2005 | Greenaction