Welcome to Clean Up the World in 2008

Thank you for joining Clean Up the World and becoming part of a global community sharing a common goal - to clean up, fix up and conserve our world's precious environment. Clean Up the World is one of the most inspiring and effective international environmental campaigns in the world, attracting an estimated 35 million volunteers in more than 110 countries each year. By joining Clean Up the World your local actions to assist the environment are taking on global significance.

Please read below welcome messages from Ian Kiernan AO, Chairman, Clean Up the World (CUW) and Achim Steiner, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Messages from:

Ian Kiernan AO, Chairman, Clean Up the World

Click here to hear this message in English.

Welcome to Clean Up the World and thank you for helping to protect our global environment for future generations.

In 2008 we're taking action to protect our environment under our campaign theme ‘Start today...Save tomorrow - Clean Up Our Climate'.

Now, more than ever, it is important that we all take serious action in order to limit the impacts of climate change.

The work Clean Up the World participants undertake to help clean up, fix up and conserve the environment cannot be underestimated. By joining the campaign and encouraging volunteers you are showing leadership and generosity that will have a positive impact on the lives of those around you and on future generations.

Whether your Clean Up the World initiative is a clean up of your local environment or a national environmental education campaign, every single action makes a difference. Your input, combined with the work tens of millions of other Clean Up the World volunteers, will add up to huge environmental benefits.

This year we are thrilled to have the World Organization of the Scout Movement join as a Clean Up the World ally. Scouts across the world have always been active in Clean Up the World but this new relationship will encourage even more National Scout Organizations to join the campaign.

Clean Up the World also has two new ambassadors in 2008 - the grand daughter of legendary filmmaker Jacques Cousteau, Celine Cousteau, along with British adventurer David de Rothschild. Both David and Celine already play an important role in environmental awareness and protection. Celine works to protect the marine environment and David combines adventure and the arts to educate people about the environment.

Both are living proof that each of us can turn our passion into action and address the many environmental issues facing our world today and in their roles as ambassadors they will be inviting people to do the same in their own communities - they're the perfect fit for Clean Up the World.

Again, we look forward to your participation in Clean Up the World in 2008. Your neighbours the environment, and our future generations, will thank you for it.

Achim Steiner, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Understanding of the importance of the environment to our well-being is increasing all the time. It can be measured in column inches and in the continued growth of movements such as Clean Up the World.

Sadly, environmental awareness is growing because, in too many parts of the world, environmental conditions continue to deteriorate. The evidence is overwhelming-from global biodiversity loss to declining freshwater availability, from the accumulation of marine litter to accelerating climate change.

Of all these issues, climate change is the one that will define our progress. It affects us all, as well as the ecosystems on which we depend. That is why UNEP has adopted the rallying call of ‘Kick the Habit' for our 2008 World Environment Day campaign. Only by using our resources more intelligently and efficiently, and moving towards a low carbon economy, can we hope to combat climate change.

The challenges are immense, but they are not insurmountable. Indeed, tackling global warming is presenting a bonanza of opportunities for mobilizing radical change in how we use our natural capital. In this, Clean Up the World has always been among a handful of players who have stayed ahead of the game - not just in understanding the issues, but in grasping the basic truth that we all have a role to play in finding and adopting solutions.

Through the ‘Clean Up Our Climate: Start Today... Save Tomorrow' campaign, Clean Up the World is making a practical impact at the local level to address this most global of issues. It is this hands-on, can-do approach that makes Clean Up the World so valuable, and is why UNEP remains steadfast in our support. For 2008, let me repeat one simple heartfelt message: Thank you. Your actions truly make a difference.

Click here to learn more about CUW's relationship with UNEP.

Click here to learn more about World Environment Day and the Billion Tree Campaign.