The environment in the news monday 13 October 2008
Achievements in environmental protection lauded
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Achievements in environmental protection laudedChina has reconciled environmental protection with economic development in recent years and achieved a great deal in this regard, a UN environmental official said Friday. The Chinese government has attached great importance to environmental protection and taken drastic measures to eliminate pollution, said Bakary Kante, director of the Division of Environmental Conventions of the UN Environment Program, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the city of Lille. He told reporters that he had noted during his three visits to China that the Asian country has long realized the importance of a good environment and committed itself to preserving the environment in its drive to build a booming economy. Kante maintains that members of the international community should accept "common but differentiated" responsibilities in environmental protection. Developed countries, which started industrialization in the 17th century, are responsible for the accumulated pollution dating back to the period. Meanwhile, developing countries should try their best not to harm the environment in their pursuit of economic benefits as environmental damage is always irreparable, he said. For developing countries, which are faced with a seemingly difficult choice between development and environmental protection, a good environment is actually a valuable device that could serve as a powerful locomotive for sustainable development, the UN official said. During the Lille forum, Kante met many young students, "whose strong environmental awareness has given him quite a relief," he said. "They are willing to make efforts for this purpose," he said, adding that this willingness will make a big difference for the environment in the future. (Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2008) http://www.china.org.cn/environment/news/2008-10/11/content_16597890.htm ........................................................................ ‘10M trees’ online drive to be launchedINQUIRER.net, First Posted 13:04:00 10/10/2008 MANILA, Philippines -- An online campaign to encourage the public to plant 10 million trees by 2011 will be launched next week, according to organizers of the event. The “10@10: The 10 Million Trees Campaign” will mark the 10th year anniversary of Luntiang Pilipinas (Green Philippines ), the urban forestry program founded by Senator Loren Legarda, who has been known to be a long-time environmental advocate, an e-mailed statement to media said. Citing concerns for the “disastrous effects of the climate crisis worldwide,” the nationwide online campaign, to be launched on October 14, is hoping to encourage the “valuable contribution of individuals, private corporations and businesses, and national and local government agencies in planting 10 million trees by year 2011,” it said. It also hopes to help mitigate the impact of global warming on the health, security, and lives of the Filipinos,” the statement said. A memorandum of agreement among Luntiang Pilipinas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) has been signed, with these agencies serving as the monitoring networks to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign. Logistical support will be provided by Intel Philippines while the World AgroForestry Foundation will provide technical assistance for this campaign, it said. Similar to the United Nations Environment Programme, which aims to reach the seven billion-tree mark by 2009, the campaign complements Luntian’s on-going tree-planting activities such as the establishment of forest parks in numerous towns, cities, schools and universities, and along major highways and thoroughfares all over the country, it said. To date, the foundation has established forest parks with more than two million trees planted in approximately 500 hectares across the country. Now on its 10th year, Luntiang Pilipinas has remained committed to doing its share in saving the environment, it said. Participants of The 10 Million Trees Campaign can enter pledges to plant as many trees as they can online through www.luntiangpilipinas.com.ph the organization’s new website, it said. Pledgers are responsible for the actual tree- planting at their chosen locations and are encouraged to send in photos or videos to document their activities, and monitor the progress and growth of the trees that have been planted, it said. Registered pledges will be acknowledged in the form of a pledge of commitment card to be issued in the participant’s name. These pledge cards also serve as discount cards at selected establishments courtesy of Luntiang Pilipinas’ merchant partners, it said. For more information on the 10 @ 10: The 10 Million Trees Campaign, log on to www.luntiangpilipinas.com.ph. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081010-165694/10M-trees-online-drive-to-be-launched ……………………………………………………….. General environment newsASEAN looks towards environmentally sustainable citiesThe concept and reality of environmentally sustainable cities was one of the top priorities during discussions at the Southeast Asian environment ministers’ meetings which took place in Hanoi from October 6-10. The first East Asia Summit Environment Ministers Meeting, the 11th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, the 7th ASEAN+3 Environment Ministerial Meeting, and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transboundary Haze Pollution, were hosted by Vietnam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The participating ministers have acknowledged the efforts made by ASEAN member countries in preventing and controlling forest fires. They pledged to maintain preventive measures and proposed that international and regional partners support ASEAN’s initiatives to cope with forest fires. The ministers agreed to give priority to “environmentally sustainable cities” in environmental co-operation in the East Asian region, in order to address the challenges posed by rapidly growing urbanisation and related issues in the areas of climate change, energy and the environment. They shared experiences in urban planning, urban greenery, sewage treatment, water supplies, waste management, controlling soil, water and air pollution and climate change. The first East Asia Summit Environment Ministers Meeting was lauded as an important step towards making high-ranking East Asian officials’ ideas on environment co-operation a reality. During the event, the ministers also praised Vietnam's initiative to set up an environmental education centre for the East Asian region, regarding it as a useful initiative. The ministers also appreciated ongoing and new initiatives promoted by member countries such as “Low Carbon Society”, “Compact Cities”, “Eco-Cities” “Environmentally Sustainable Transport” and “Clean Asia Initiative”. (VNA) http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/news/101008/domestic_as.htm ………………………………………………… Directory: cpi -> briefs briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news briefs -> The environment in the news Download 239.46 Kb. Share with your friends:
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