ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

AUSTRALIA

In 2004, eight high-profile Australians made a national plea over clear-felling. More than 300 people attended a public meeting in Perth and 600 were present at a meeting in Brisbane. About 700 attended a meeting in Adelaide and about 1,600 were in Sydney. Rallies were In 2004, eight high-profile Australians made a national plea over clear-felling. More than 300 people attended a public meeting in Perth and 600 were present at a meeting in Brisbane. About 700 attended a meeting in Adelaide and about 1,600 were in Sydney.
Rallies were held in Melbourne and Sydney. In Hobart, the Day was celebrated on the Parliament House lawns with dancers, bands, stalls and speeches. The 2004 Lithgow Environmental Awards were held in conjunction with World Environment Day at the Lithgow Council Chambers. held in Melbourne and Sydney. In Hobart, the Day was celebrated on the Parliament House lawns with dancers, bands, stalls and speeches. The 2004 Lithgow Environmental Awards were held in conjunction with World Environment Day at the Lithgow Council Chambers.
Each Year, World Environment Day is celebrated amongst Toyota's 3,000 employees in Australia with competitions, sausage sizzles and free tree seedlings handed out. In 2005, Toyota’s internal focus was "waste". Approximately 2,500 re-usable "Green Bags" were handed out to employees.

In keeping with the 2005 Green Cities theme, Toshiba Australia introduced an extensive recycling programme, covering all forms of waste generated by all the company premises throughout Australia. As an introduction to this new policy, employees were given a china mug to replace foam cups, which will be banned from Toshiba Australia Pty Ltd's sites.
In 2005, Clean Up the World (CUW) invited members to consider the impact of the planet's growing urban populations with the theme Green Cities, Green Communities in support of UNEP's theme Green Cities - Plan for the Planet!

Brisbane
In 2005, the faculty of Environmental Sciences at Nathan Campus, Griffith University, celebrated with an initiative entitled Redeeming Our Pledge to Save the Environment and Make Green Cities. Students gathered at the City Center shopping mall to conduct awareness activities on 'Green Shopping'. They asked people to reject the disposable plastic bags and go for 'Green Bags'. Australia uses 6 billion plastic bags each year, most of which end up in landfills.

Melbourne
In 2005, Parks Victoria and the National Gallery of Victoria joined forces to create an environmental trail entitled The Altered Land, with artworks from the permanent collection of Australian art. The trail highlighted environmental issues and explored ways in which artists capture the changing Australian landscape. This collaborative project was launched on 5 June at the Ian Potter Centre.

Nelson Bay
On 5-6 June, the Nelson Bay Town Management celebrated its second annual Festival of the Whales the 2004 theme Wanted! Seas and Oceans - Dead or Alive? The festival marked the beginning of the annual whale migration along Australia's east coast and was a celebration of the marine environment in Port Stephens, one of Australia's premier dolphin and whale watch centres.

Oyster Bay
In 2006, Point Preschool organized a low waste lunch challenge where all the children invited their family to bring a "Low Waste Lunch". The waste that could not be recycled from the week before and on the day of the challenge was weighed separately. The aim was that there will be less waste and that this will encourage the parents to always send a low waste lunch.

Perth
Perth, in partnership with the town of Victoria Park, the City of South Perth and the Claise Brook Catchment Group, hosted the 2005 celebrations on 5 June at Point Fraser. Activities included: performances by the City Farm Chameleon Brass Band; a community planting at Kensington Bushland; a cycle tour of Perth; a walking tour of Point Fraser; rides with the hydrogen fuel cell bus of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure; a Kings Park bushwalk; and workshops at City Farm. A 20 per cent discount for bike hire was offered by Close About Bike Hire for visitors to Point Fraser on the day.

Portland
In 2005, on 2 June Alcoa Portland Aluminium hosted an event that brought together 10 primary schools and 15 community partners to experience environmental learning. Some 350 students were invited to participate in environmental activities and to be treated to a waste wise/healthy lunch. The aim was to support environmental education and the development of future environmental leaders. Activities included: interactive community partner displays, enviro arts and crafts, animal antics and 'wetland wonders'.

Queensland
The Federal Labour Party launched the framework for its water policy to mark World Environment Day 2004. In 2004, Hannaford’s Events, a company that owns a new theatre product called Flames of the Forest (FOTF), which was pioneered with Conservation Volunteers Australia, organized a theatre/dining and cultural event set in the rainforests of tropical north Queensland. FOTF also launched an Australian first - the 000 concept (One person, One tree, One world) – a regeneration project where every participant discovers they have generated the planting of one tree on Australian soil as they are entertained in the stunning surroundings of the rainforest.

St. Kilda, Victoria
In 2004, Coast Care and Quicksilver Board Riders Club, hosted an environmental rehabilitation and education day at world famous Bells Beach known for its surfing. Everyone was invited to join in the revegetation of indigenous plants around the Winkipop area and to take an environmental interpretative tour.

Sydney
In 2005, the advertising firm Saatchi and Saatchi created pro bono a radio public service announcement for the United Nations Information Centre in Sydney. In keeping with the year's theme Green Cities, the PSA focused on urban air pollution.

Tasmania
In 2005, Greens’ Senator Bob Brown called on Australia's 15 million voters to make saving Tasmania's forests and wildlife a vote changing issue in the impending election. There were rallies, concerts and other events around the nation for the iconic forests.

BANGLADESH

Dhaka
In 2004, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh inaugurated an environment fair at Oamani Memorial Auditorium and distributed prizes to the winners of the children and youth painting and essay writing competitions. In 2006, Bangladesh Radio and Television, as well as private TV channels aired special environmental programmes. National newspapers published supplements highlighting the significance of the day.
On 5 June 2006, the Department of Environment organized an environmental Fair at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in which government, non-governmental organizations and educational institutions took part, and a three-day national seminar and discussion on 5-7 June. Also organized were a children’s painting competition on 16 May at Shishu Children’s Academy; a rally and procession on 4 June in which thousands of men, women, and children, boy scouts and girl guides and environment protection campaigners participated; an essay competition on the theme: Don’t Desert Drylands!; the production of souvenirs and stickers in the six divisions and 64 districts of Bangladesh to create awareness on the environment.

CHINA

Beijing
In Beijing, activities in 2004 included the launch on 5 June of the national green community campaign sponsored by the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) and the All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) in a public square of a residential area; the launch in the Great Hall of the People of the I love China and I love Seas and Oceans – Campaign for Environmental Protection by China’s Youngsters sponsored by the Song Chingling Foundation and SEPA. China Environment News devoted a whole page to the Day, and the 2003 China State of Environment Report was released by SEPA on 3 June.

Hong Kong
In 2004, the Hong Kong Business Environment Council organized a seminar on sustainable production and consumption at the Shangri-la Hotel. The seminar attracted some 100 participants, mostly from the Hong Kong business sector.

Liaoning
In 2004, about 1,000 environmental protection volunteers in Dalian held a rally at Zhongshan Square. Students from a dozen universities gave performances and delivered speeches on environmental protection at the square, which was adorned with billboards and posters. Under the slogan Public involvement in environmental protection, officials of various city departments attended the day's activities in their capacity as volunteers instead of government officials.

Shenzhen
In 2005, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies hosted a celebration entitled Green City, Green Home at the Red Forest Eco-Park. Activities included a clean-up of waste left by tourists in the Park, an environmental quiz and a photo exhibition.

INDIA

Chandigarh
In 2004, Theatre Arts, in association with the State Bank of India, organized a street play entitled Prakrati ke Dushman. The performance depicted environmental problems such as deforestation, air, water and noise pollution. The satire on politicians captured the audience’s imagination.

Imphal
The All Manipur Rickshaw Drivers’ and Pullers’ Welfare Association carried out a rickshaw rally in Imphal city on 5 June 2004.

Maharashtra
The Tekdi Group organized Earth Events 2005 from 22 April (Earth Day) to 5 June. The events were an attempt to bridge the time between these two days and included the launch of a Digital Desktop Eco Calendar on 5 June available on their website as a free download. The calendar featured important Eco Events of the year as well as environmentally important days. As in previous years, the Day’s activities began with tree planting exercises at their branches around the world and will go on until December depending on local planting seasons.

Mount Abu
In 2006, a concert was held to sensitize local citizens to the environmental cause. Eight new songs, with environmental messages, were presented by the visually-challenged children of the local Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind.

Mysore
The Quality Inn Southern Star celebrated World Environment Day 2004 by exhibiting in the lobby of the hotel posters depicting various factors affecting the environment. Guests were presented with bookmarks highlighting the importance of the day. A special programme to plant some 45 palm saplings by the general manager and employees was organized.

New Delhi
In 2005, the Postal Department of the Government of India brought out a First Day Cover – an envelope bearing a commemorative cachet of stamps depicting the work of the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation.

Trivandrum
In 2005, the Forum for Environmental Writers displayed banners in the local dialect on the menace of plastic bags. The banners were put up at vantage points in the capital of Kerala. A popular TV discussion on environment was also broadcast.

INDONESIA

South Kalimantan
In 2005, PT Arutmin, one of the local coal mining companies, invited the local government and the people to clean their areas by picking up rubbish and planting trees in public areas. They provided rubbish bins strategically placed along city roads and assisted in developing domestic waste management systems and the necessary infrastructure.

Tangerang
In Indonesia, the main source of air pollution is vehicle emissions. That's why on World Environment Day 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Tangerang Municipality measured public vehicle emissions. Tests undertaken gratis on 6-7 June helped raise awareness of the need to maintain vehicles to prevent air pollution. The EPA distributed posters, leaflets and stickers, which describe how important it is to maintain vehicles.

Yogyakarta
In 2005, Sylva Indonesia, the Indonesian Forestry Student Association, celebrated the Day with a tree planting exercise. A project entitled An Eco-Corridor for a Green City was developed in collaboration with 30 Indonesian universities to create a green corridor between Merapi Mountain National Park and the town of Yogyakarta. The Association cooperated with local government, NGOs, civil society and the media.

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH KOREA

Seoul
On 5 June 2004, the official ceremony to celebrate World Environment Day was held in the auditorium of the Convention and Exhibition Centre. More than 1,100 participants came from local and central governments, NGOs, industry and the armed forces, among others. The Vice Prime Minister and the Environment Minister delivered statements and committed themselves to take action to protect the environment.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Uijongbu
In 2004, the United States Forces Korea (USFK) Better Opportunities for Single and Unaccompanied Service Members (BOSS) Programme, Camp Red Cloud and Area 1, planted trees in celebration of World Environment Day.

MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur
In 2005, Bangsar Village Shopping Centre undertook a campaign to educate and reinforce the concept of recycling. The Centre sponsored 20,000 specially designed reusable green shopping bags, with the slogan Go Green for the Future of our Kids. Storyboards targeted at children were displayed in the shopping centre, to create awareness of the need to recycle. To reinforce the message of using used materials, a book recycling effort was carried out. All collected books were donated to local charities, which adhere to the Bangsar Village Kids for Kids Charity Programme. To create awareness of the color coding employed for the sorting of different recyclable items, coloured recycling bins were put at key points, with large posters hanging over each bin. The campaign began in early April and continued until World Environment Day.

Malaya
In 2004, the Environmental Education Programme of the University of Malaya launched at the Rimba Ilmu Botanical Garden Building the second Children's Art Show, which was organized by the University of Malaya, the Malaysian Nature Society and the Impact Art Programme. An exhibition of 50 paintings on nature by a group of children was produced, and a silent auction of the paintings was held with 60 per cent of funds raised donated to the Botanical Garden.

Penang
In 2004, the World Fish Centre organized an awareness programme for its staff. Posters were placed in strategic locations in the office complex and articles about the year's theme, Wanted! Seas and Oceans - Dead or Alive? were circulated. A special staff meeting was organized and staff members were treated to a short video on the state of the oceans. This led to discussions on how staff can help protect the environment.

MONGOLIA

Ulaanbaatar
In 2005, the Mongolian Nature and Environment Consortium established a community-based tree nursery in Uliastain. The nurseries were placed in areas that will be able to provide sustainable seedlings for the next 10-20 years and with the aim of greening the Uliastain area in the next five years. The Mongolian Nature and Environment Consortium provided technical and professional support to community members to fulfill the objectives.

NEPAL

Kathmandu
In 2005, the Youth Awareness Environmental Forum (YAEF) arranged a banner exhibition at Ratnapark. On 4 June, the Secondary Level Valley Speech Competition Programme was held – 34 schools participated. YAEF distributed posters with slogans on topics such as water conservation, plastic use reduction, stop chimney brick industries and stop the stone crusher industries. The 5 June events, organized by YAEF and Environment Cycle Radio FM, started at City Hall with the Valley Bicycle Rally, with the aim of turning into action the World Environment Day slogan. On reaching the YAEF headquarters, a discussion on Environment Protection in Nepal was held. On 6 June, song and dance performances on the environment took place.

NEW ZEALAND

In 2004, International Waters called for deep sea protection from the Greenpeace flagship, Rainbow Warrior II, by urging the population not to put life in the deep sea out of mind, because it was out of sight. Rainbow Warrior left Auckland for waters around New Zealand to investigate and document bottom trawl fishing practices. It was part of an international campaign to protect deep sea life from the impacts of bottom trawling.

Wellington
In 2006, Stop Child Poverty Campaign planted trees at the local facilities for underprivileged and at risk children. This action benefited the children directly as it beautified their environment.

Whakatane
In 2006, Te Wharekura O Ruatoki Area School planted fruit trees, so that children can eat something that doesn't come out of a plastic wrapping. This exercise was to re-invent the orchards the community once depended on.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad
In 2005, Gogi Studios published the book The Garbage Monster on the theme of environment protection and cleanliness. The book, authored by the famous Pakistani cartoonist, Nigar Nazar, was colorfully illustrated and included a board game based on the Do's and Don’ts of maintaining a healthy and clean environment. Translated in Urdu and printed by the Ministry of Environment, it was distributed to children in different provinces.

Karachi
On 4 June 2004, the Society for Environment of Pakistan, a newly established non-profit organization, organized with the Environment Protection Agency and the Government of Sindh, a seminar at the Arts Council based on the theme Wanted! Seas and Oceans - Dead or Alive?
In 2006, the Foundation for Progress held a national seminar under the theme Drylands Rehabilitation – Poverty Alleviation. The seminar was organized and convened with the collaboration of the Department of Environment and Alternate Energy and the Government of Sindh. The event was held under the Foundation’s programme ‘Building Partnerships, Promoting Sustainability’. The objective of which is to foster cooperation and build bridges between the government, the private sector and civil society. The seminar was one of the largest gatherings on the occasion in the country, with about 200 delegates from 84 public and private sectors, and national, multinational and international organizations. They discussed ways of rehabilitating, conserving and sustaining the drylands of Pakistan. There were messages from the President of Pakistan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Federal Minister for Environment. The Seminar concluded that the outcome and the proceedings would be synthesized, and the recommendations submitted to the relevant authorities for consideration and necessary implementation.

Peshawar
In 2004, the Human Resource Social Welfare Society International celebrated the day with an environmental award ceremony. The ceremony was the culmination of a three-month campaign, which commenced on Earth Day (22 April) and it is estimated that one million people participated during the three-month period.

Usta Muhammad
The Society for Human Advancement and Disadvantaged Empowerment (SHADE) celebrated World Environment Day for the first time in the region in 2005. Activities included a walk; a seminar entitled Save the Planet; and a poster competition among students of different schools. An environmental message was broadcast throughout the day on a local TV station.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Alotau, Milne Bay Province
In 2005, Conservation International (CI) organized a Green and Clean Day. Students, town authorities, businesses, prison inmates and the public came together to clean up the town and plant trees. CI and the Town Authority launched a continuing Coastal Care Programme and introduced the Alotau Green and Clean Committee, who will be responsible for initiating clean and green programmes throughout the year. Posters and brochures were prepared and youths painted waste drums with clean and green messages.

Port Moresby
On 3 June 2004, the Department of Environment and Conservation launched the official celebrations at Port Moresby National High School where the Prime Minister, Sir Michael Thomas Somare, gave the keynote address. Activities included traditional songs and dances, poem readings by students, drama and choir performances. One of the most important events was a tree planting, with a number of dignitaries planting trees that were named and tagged after them. The current Moitaka Wild Life Sanctuary was officially dedicated to the Prime Minister and student representatives from some 15 schools in the capital were present.

PHILIPPINES

Manila
In 2006, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) worked with member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to develop a series of indicators for rice production in the region. When implemented, the indicators will allow each country to monitor and compare the environmental impact of its rice production with that of its neighbors, and either correct any problems or improve on existing practices. It is the first time anywhere in the world that a series of environmental indicators is being developed to monitor the impact of agricultural production on such a large regional basis. The five indicators being developed focus on: production, biodiversity, pollution, land degradation, and water.

Muntinlupa City
In 2005, the Muntinlupa City Ecological Solid Waste Management Board organized a number of initiatives, which took place throughout the month of June, including a motorcade; a gathering of all Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJ) and Tricycle Operators (TODA); a free petrol and diesel testing for tricycles, PUJs and government vehicles; a lake seeding exercise; and a river clean–up. An initiative entitled ‘Tree ForThe Next Generation’ was also launched, and a seminar on solid waste management was held. In addition, a free testing of water stations of the city was carried out.

Tagbilaran
Every year, to celebrate World Environment Day, on the Sunday nearest 5 June, a "Green Families and Green Communities' fair, with educational, aesthetic and recreational activities for environmental consciousness is held. Booths for green products and exhibits are put up. A formal programme attended by WED-Philippines national leaders, members of provincial environmental groups, scouts and students, as well as city government dignitaries and employees. On the evening of 5 June, there is a solemn multinational handshake and hugs ceremony centered on a poem-prayer in English titled Earth Synergy: A Giant Leap for Humankind, which has been translated into 15 languages. The national event site is rotated around the country, and the site in 2006 was Tagbilaran City in Bohol.

SINGAPORE

In Singapore, activities conducted in 2005 ranged from government initiatives to voluntary and commercial efforts. On 27 May, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources met with industry professionals, governmental and non-governmental leaders at the inaugural Climate Change Roundtable. Strategies for a long-term blueprint for stakeholders to mitigate the effects of climate change in Singapore were mapped out. In June, raising environmental awareness became part of the portfolio of the Singapore Police Force.
In addition to designating 1 June as ‘Green Transport Day’ – where staff were encouraged to take public transport such as trains and buses to work – more than 30,000 staff participated in activities such as the cleaning of nature areas, planting gardens and recycling projects.

Several large retailers such as Carrefour and IKEA partnered with the Singapore Environment Council, a local NGO, in organizing a traveling "Green Living Exhibition". The exhibition reached about 5,000 people who learnt how to become more environment-friendly in their daily lives. Also, one of the leading supermarket retailers – NTUC FairPrice – launched the FairPrice Green Bag, a reusable and environment-friendly tote bag made of 100% polypropylene. Carrefour put up signs to identify green products on their premises and encouraged shoppers to use their own bags for purchases and sold eco-friendly bags at a discount.
In 2006, a four-month long public consultation was launched in Singapore on 30 May to gather ideas and feedback for Singapore's proposed National Climate Change Strategy (NCSS). NCCS is being developed to determine how Singapore's private and public sectors can address the issue in an environmentally and economically sustainable way.

On 2 June 2006, Singapore’s Environment Council held a public screening of the Japanese movie Fireflies: River of Light. Funds raised went towards environmental activities organized by Singapore's Green Volunteers Network. Fireflies is a heart-warming story about an elementary schoolteacher who successfully led his students to clean up the town’s river and raise fireflies to fly over it once again, despite strong opposition from parents, the school and even the city itself. Starting on 5 June 2006, 14 of Singapore's retail chains promoted the use of environment-friendly reusable bags. Carrefour gave away reusable bags to 200 shoppers and retailers incorporated the Why Waste Plastic Bags? Choose Reusable Bags! message in their newspaper advertisements.

SRI LANKA

Galle, Southern Province
In 2004, Rainforest Rescue International launched an awareness programme for 10 selected schools in Galle and Matara districts. The initiative was part of a national programme coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the participation of the relevant Municipal Councils of the two districts, which are the main coastal towns in the country. The main event took place at the Town Hall on 5 June and was followed by a tree planting. A beach clean-up was organized by the Matara Municipal Council, the University of Ruhuna and various environmental organizations. The film Biodiversity and the Sea, screened at the main bus station, attracted more than 1,000 participants.

Colombo
In 2006, Arunalu Youth Forum organized for collection of water samples from the community wells to check if the water is safe for drinking.

TAHITI

In 2004, the Ministry of the Environment of French Polynesia organized a variety of events, including radio public service announcements, a film screening and a poster competition. Environmental associations and young people from the federation for non-denominational charities participated in the unveiling of billboards aimed at building awareness about the need to protect Panenoo Valley.
The programme “Ambassadors for the Environment,” launched on the ocean-liner Paul Gauguin, ran from June to August, and used the knowledge of trainers from Jean-Yves Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society to educate children on the need to protect the rich resources of the ocean. The “Saga Vanille” campaign, geared towards less advantaged children, was also associated with the programme. Open-days were also organized at various diving clubs around the islands, so as to raise awareness amongst vacationers to the need to protect marine and lagoon ecosystems.

THAILAND

Bangkok
Greenpeace Southeast Asia hosted a public event to raise awareness of environmental crimes and their impact. Protecting Life on Earth the first ever photo exhibition on this subject, featured 45 images highlighting regional and international environmental problems such as illegal logging and genetically modified organisms. The exhibition was held on 4 to 6 June 2004 at Pakkad Palace.

Lampang
In keeping with the 2005 theme Green Cities - Plan for the Planet!, the Lampang Environmental Office brought together 360 organizations, including 16 local schools in Payao. Activities included a clean up of canals and public roads and the planting of native trees and shrubs. The schools were involved in a symposium and an exhibit on environmental protection. Also organized were interactive community partner displays, enviro arts and crafts and quizzes on sustainable development, as well as a concert. Leaflets were distributed to raise awareness about the Day and the role of the public in protecting the environment.

Pattaya
On 3 June 2004, members of the government and the private sector and Pattaya school children, went to Pattaya Beach to clean the beachfront and enjoy fun and games. The day was split into two competitions: the best World Environment Day poster design among the 10 Pattaya schools, and the second the best items made out of recycled materials.

VIETNAM

Ho Chi Minh
In 2005, as they have done in past years, the newspaper Liberated Saigon celebrated with articles related to the Day’s theme, Green Cities - Plan for the Planet! On 2 June 2006, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Ministry of Agriculture and the Voice of Ho Chi Minh produced an radio soap opera on the environment for rural Vietnam. It was launched in Hanoi by the Minister of Agriculture. This was followed by a site launch on 5 June in Can Tho city. The drama series, broadcast twice a week for a year, incorporated environmental issues using education-entertainment (E-E) methods.

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