Media Release 13 September 2005

Latin America's cities and communities unite for a greener world

As part of the annual Clean Up the World Weekend, celebrated globally on the 16th - 18th of September, hundreds of thousands of volunteers from 17 Latin American countries are expected to take part.

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 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 their community can reduce its environmental impact. Particularly 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.

In Peru, volunteers will run an awareness campaign about the lack of green spaces in Lima.

School children, divers, snorkers and community volunteers will be cleaning up the iconic Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Three communities of varying sizes in Colombia, Bogotá, Barrancabermeja and Barranquilla, will unite under the banner ‘Cleaning Up the World begins in your own city'. The campaign aims to protect green areas, mobilise people into action and raise awareness.

Further afield, communities in coastal and mountain areas are also taking action.

Community members will donate native trees for a large-scale tree planting activity in the rural coastal town of Puerto El Morro, Ecuador.

Hundreds of volunteers will clean up and plant trees throughout the "Jardín de la Reina", the second largest National Park in Cuba.

Located at the foot of the Andes Mountains, the natural environment of Chos Malal in Argentina, is suffering from the impacts of population growth. Volunteers will run a series of talks and clean up events to raise community awareness.

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

Communities across Latin America 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