THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEWS
Friday 17 October 2008
UNEP and the Executive Director in the News
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Barclays.com: United Nations millennium development goals tackled through tree planting campaign across UAE
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AllAfrica.com, Washington - Nigeria: CPC, Consumers International Underscore Education for Sustainable Consumption
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African Conservation Foundation: Paint for the Planet New Rating
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Global Action Plan: Children's Art Event 'Paint for the Planet' to Launch UN Climate Campaign
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Regency.org: Paint for the Planet 2008
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Inquirer.net, Philippines: Climate change tops lawmakers’ meet
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Other Environment News
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AFP: EU Kyoto signatories on way to goals: environment agency
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Reuters: Omar weakens to tropical storm in Atlantic
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AFP: Greenpeace protests Berlusconi plan to veto EU climate accord
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AP: California releases plan to cut greenhouse gases
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Environmental News from the UNEP Regions
Other UN News
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Environment News from the UN Daily News of 16 October 2008
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Environment News from the S.G.’s Spokesman Daily Press Briefing of 16 October 2008 (None)
UNEP and the Executive Director in the News
Barclays.com: United Nations millennium development goals tackled through tree planting campaign across UAE
Posted on
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Country
United Arab Emirates
Client(s)
Barclays
Release Content
Over 30,000 indigenous ghaf tree seeds will be distributed this month, across four UAE Barclays service centres in support of the ‘Stand Up Take Action 2008 Campaign’, addressing environmental sustainability.
Barclays is a primary partner in the campaign which aims to draw awareness to this important environmental issue.
Under the patronage of UN Messenger of Peace HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai, ‘Stand Up and Take Action 2008’ is part of the ongoing ‘United Nations Millennium Development Goals Campaign’, consisting of eight goals to be achieved globally by 2015.
Environmental sustainability is the seventh goal, with a worldwide tree planting initiative called ‘Mission Green Earth’ put in motion to drive this goal.
Barclays has set up dedicated areas within their service centres in the UAE to distribute ghaf tree seeds to volunteers. The seeds will be distributed free of charge to those who register on the ‘Mission Green Earth’ website and pledge to plant trees as part of this exciting initiative.
The seeds, packaged in recyclable paper envelopes, aim to encourage UAE residents to plant the indigenous tree in their backyards, local parks or the desert. Each envelope with clear planting instructions has been hand-packed and contains 10 seeds.
Barclays is a primary partner in supporting ‘Mission Green Earth’ – ‘Stand Up Take Action’. Ahmed Khan, Chief Executive of Barclays Emerging Markets Global Retail and Commercial Banking is delighted that Barclays is able to pledge their dedication to such a significant and important cause.
“We are committed to supporting this exciting initiative and encouraging citizens of the UAE to stand up and take action for the vital cause of environmental sustainability. Internally, Barclays employees across the UAE will be encouraged to participate in ‘Stand Up Take Action’ activities. It is critical that we take the important steps towards achieving environmental sustainability now, in order to preserve the world and its environment for future generations.”
Considered the UAE’s national tree due to its deep rooted role in the local environment and culture, ghaf is facing an uncertain future as it is slowly becomes endangered. While ghaf grows naturally in the desert, they are being overgrazed by an increasing number of camels as well as being cleared to give way to rapidly expanding urban infrastructure.
Ghaf seeds can also be ordered free of charge online via ‘Mission Green Earth’s’ website www.missiongreenearth.ae. The campaign is supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Humanitarian City. It is being organised by Art of Living and the International Association for Human Values.
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AllAfrica.com, Washington - Nigeria: CPC, Consumers International Underscore Education for Sustainable Consumption
16 October 2008
Posted to the web 16 October 2008
As the world moves towards entrenching sustainable consumption in the life-style of people, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), and the global campaigning voice for consumers, Consumers International, have joined the world to call on national governments to adopt United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) guidelines on 'Education for Sustainable Consumption' in formal education.
A statement made available to LEADERSHIP and signed by Abiodun Obimuyiwa, stated that CPC in joining the global clamour, sent letters to the ministers of education and environment on the need to make sustainable consumption part of the nation's formal education. Similarly, the council had initiated collaborative moves with the Federal Government's curriculum-setting agency, National Educational Research & Development Centre, Sheda, in order to explore the possibility of raising a school curriculum for consumer protection.
Also, as part of the programme, CPC has conducted an educational session on sustainable consumption for teachers and members of the consumer protection club of Junior Secondary School, Jikwoyi in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to CPC, the coordinated day of action has been organised by the global consumer movement as a means of empowering consumers to make responsible decisions early in life.
As outlined in UNEP guidelines, sustainable consumer choices are crucial to social development and environmental protection, just as sustainable consumption is also a key theme within the UN decades of education for sustainable development.
According to the statement, consumers international member organisations around the world, including CPC, are calling on ministries of environment to endorse the UNEP guidelines and asked ministries of education to incorporate the recommendations on sustainable consumption within the national curriculum.
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African Conservation Foundation: Paint for the Planet New
Rating
Website: http://www.unep.org/paint4planet/
Paint for the Planet is an exhibit and auction of children's art to launch the global United Nations campaign "UNite to Combat Climate Change". The event will feature a selection of paintings from UNEP's International Children's Painting Competition. Showcasing children's fears and hopes for the planet, the paintings are a powerful plea from children for leadership on climate change before it is too late.
Categories: Art
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Global Action Plan: Children's Art Event 'Paint for the Planet' to Launch UN Climate Campaign
The global United Nations campaign ‘UNite to Combat Climate Change' will kick off in October with an auction and exhibit of children's art in New York.
The Paint for the Planet event will feature a selection of stand-out entries from the United Nations Environment Programme international Children's Painting Competitions. Showcasing children's fears and hopes for the planet, the paintings are a powerful plea from children for leadership on climate change before it is too late.
The original artwork has been chosen from a collection of nearly 200,000 paintings which have never been displayed before. The exhibit opens at UN Headquarters in New York on 23 October.
On 25 October, a selection of the paintings will be auctioned at the Harvard Club of New York City to raise emergency funds for children affected by climate-related disasters, such as the recent storms and hurricanes in the Caribbean. The exhibit is open to all, and the art will also be sold online to enable people around the world to
participate.
The full Paint for the Planet 1 pager can be downloaded here.
The absolutely amazing paintings being exhibited can be seen here.
The curatorial partner for Paint for the Planet is the Natural World Museum (NWM), which presents art through innovative programmes to inspire environmental awareness and action among the public.
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Regency.org: Paint for the Planet 2008
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