Media Release 12 September 2005

Africa's cities and communities unite for a greener world

Sydney, Australia - From Johannesburg to small communities on Lake Victoria, volunteers across Africa will take to their local streets, parks and waterways next weekend to clean up, fix up and promote green living in their community.

Hundred of thousands of volunteers from 29 African countries are expected to take part in the annual Clean Up the World Weekend, celebrated globally on the 16th - 18th of September.

Held in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Clean Up the World campaign, now in its thirteenth year, empowers over 35 million people in over 110 countries to take simple, positive steps to improve and protect their environment each year.

"Our 2005 theme ‘Green Cities Green Communities' is encouraging people around the world to look at ways they can reduce their environmental impact across the areas of waste, water and energy. This is of particular importance in urban areas as 75% of the planet's natural resources are consumed in cities," said Ian Kiernan AO, Chairman and Founder of Clean Up the World.

UNEP, through its Regional Office for Africa based in Kenya, works to restore clean water to Nairobi's riverine system and coordinates clean ups to promote a healthier environment to the people of Nairobi.

In Nigeria, volunteers work to raise awareness about poor refuse disposal and waste management facilities in Ibadan, one of the largest cities in West Africa.

In Senegal, volunteers have organised waste collection and tree planting activities around the heavily contaminated Bay of Hann, located east of Dakar city in the Industrial Zone. They are hoping their efforts will clean up the Bay and reduce desertification of the Delta of Saloum.

Volunteers in South Africa are working to raise awareness of the effects of mine dump sites on local health and the environment. They have organised a conference in Johannesburg in which doctors, community leaders and affected residents will tell their stories.

The campaign extends beyond the urban environment with communities in rural and mountain areas also planning environmental activities.

At the famed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania volunteers hope to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and caring for natural resources whilst encouraging local tourism.

Over 2,000 volunteers will remove water hyacinth and plastic rubbish from around the polluted Homa Bay Pier in Lake Victoria, the second largest fresh water mass in the world.

Travellers from Gecko's Adventures, an Australian adventure travel company, will remove rubbish from along the banks of the River Nile, the lifeline of Egypt.

Safe drinking water is one of the major health concerns of Buduburam Refugee Camp, the largest camp in Ghana with some 42,000 refugees. Volunteers will plant trees and clean up to rehabilitate a local dam.

Located at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, Hima town in Uganda has a rapidly growing population due to the high economic potential from tourism, employment and business activities. To reduce the increased amount of rubbish, volunteers will clean up and demonstrate reduce, reuse and recycle concepts to the community.

"I encourage more groups to register as Members of Clean Up the World. Join us in creating greener cities and communities across the world," concluded Ian Kiernan.

Communities across Africa are encouraged to register with Clean Up the World by visiting www.cleanuptheworld.org. Members receive information and materials to assist with the promotion and implementation of environmental activities.

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For more information please contact Clean Up the World on +61 2 9692 0700