In support of World Environment Day 2008, Clean Up the World will invite its member organisations around the globe to conduct environmental activities with a focus on climate change. Activities such as cleaning up local parks and waterways, planting trees, conducting walk to school or work days or organising environmental education exercises will be undertaken. Members will register their local activities with United Nations Environment Programme.
Clean Up the World is a not-for-profit, non-government, apolitical organisation that unites communities with a common focus to clean up the world.
Now celebrating its 16th year, Clean Up the World, held in conjunction with United Nations Environment Programme, mobilises an estimated 35 million volunteers from 120 countries annually making it one of the largest community based environmental campaigns in the world.
While its Member’s activities can be conducted throughout the year, including World Environment Day, Clean Up the World’s flagship event is Clean Up the World Weekend, 19-21 September 2008. Groups in any city, town or village across the globe can get involved by becoming a Clean Up the World Member.
For more information, please contact:
Clean Up the World
18 Bridge Road
Glebe, Sydney, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9692 0700
Fax: +61 2 9692 0761
E-mail: info@cleanuptheworld.org
Website: www.cleanuptheworld
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Chicago The Chicago Botanic Garden is the North American host for World Environment Day 2008. At the Garden, events will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and lifestyles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption.
Throughout the day on June 5, the Chicago Botanic Garden will feature a “Knowledge and Action” marketplace where non-profit, academic, student, government, cultural, and environmental organizations will demonstrate the many ways that individuals, businesses, and governmental bodies can help reduce their carbon footprint.
On June 5, visitors to the Fruit and Vegetable Garden will receive the Melrose Pepper, which is an easy-to-grow, carbon-absorbing plant. Also from June 5 through 8, the Fruit and Vegetable Garden will host demonstrations of organic gardening and composting.
The Garden will unveil UNEP's North American International Children’s Painting Competition (ICPC) exhibition at a special awards ceremony sponsored by Bayer Corporation. Kindergarten through fifth grade students from Chicago area schools will also meet Chicago native and hometown hero, Dr. Mae C. Jemison. Dr. Jemison is a scientist, educator, and the nation’s first African-American female astronaut.
An afternoon plenary session open to all will bring together local, regional, national, and international experts on global warming and climate change to discuss ways individuals everywhere can reduce their carbon footprint. Speakers include Dr. Ashok Khosla, former director of the UN Environment Programme and Sasakawa Award winner; Amy Fraenkel, Director of UNEP’s Regional Office for North America; Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Commissioner of the City of Chicago, Department of the Environment; and Mary Gade, Region 5 US EPA administrator.
World Environment Day was observed at the United Nations Head Quarters and New York City in a variety of ways:
On the morning of 5 June, the Secretary-General participated in the launch in Times Square of the US version of the “Together” campaign - an initiative of the Climate Group dedicated to bringing together the average consumer with big business, major NGOs and local authorities to help solve climate change. In his remarks, the Secretary General flagged Climate Neutral Network (CN Net)and noted that UNEP had launched Kick the Habit earlier that day. Among other VIPs were NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the head of ICLEI, and CEOs from several US banks and retail outlets. Copies of Kick the Habit were also distributed to approximately 75 media members at a Together.com luncheon at NASDAQ.
The evening before, the New Zealand Mission and the UNEP New York Office (NYO) co-hosted a reception/cultural event at the Mission, with numerous Ambassadors in attendance. This was followed on the 5th by a panel discussion on this year’s theme co-organized by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI ) and NYO, involving the New Zealand Ambassador, and representatives from Environmental Defense Fund, National Geographic and NYO.
NYO’s Interfaith Partnership on the Environment hosted a screening of the new documentary Renewal -- Inspiring stories from America's religious environmental movement, followed by a discussion with filmmakers and several groups showcased in the film.
The US State Department launched a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs), narrated by Harrison Ford, on the subject of illegal wildlife trading. Actress Bo Derek, a US special envoy on the issue, was the guest speaker, along with the Ambassadors of Australia, Canada, Chile, India, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US).
Also on the 5th of June, NYO participated in “Talk Radio Day” at the UN. Organized by DPI and the UN Foundation, the Day brings talk radio presenters from across the US political spectrum, to UN Headquarters, for interviews with UN staff and the diplomatic community.
For more information, Please contact:
Jim Sniffen
Information Officer
UN Environment Programme
New York
Tel: +1-212-963-8094/8210
E-mail: info@nyo.unep.org
Website: www.nyo.unep.org
New York
Student video conference for World Environment Day 2008
On 28 May, students around the world, including videoconference sites in Malaysia, Australia, United States, and Canada(along with students assembled at the UN headquarters in New York)will be sharing what they are doing in their schools and communities to reduce greenhouse gas. This event aims at increasing awareness of the contributions that young people are making to achieve a low carbon lifestyle.
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The Chicago Botanic Garden is the North American host for World Environment Day 2008. At the Garden, events will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and lifestyles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption.
