Media release 21 April 2006

Governments must support citizens to cut emissions by 2050

The efforts of individuals to slow the impacts of climate change will go to waste unless governments demonstrate greater leadership and commit to 60% greenhouse reduction targets by 2050, the founder of Clean Up the World Ian Kiernan AO said on the eve of Earth Day 2006.

"It is now clear that climate change is unavoidable and every single person on Earth has a role to play in limiting its impacts. But unless there are deep cuts made to greenhouse emissions by the middle of this century, particularly by the big polluting countries such as the United States, those personal efforts will be in vain," Mr Kiernan said in support of the Earth Day 2006 campaign on climate change.

"The Kyoto Protocol was an important first step in the right direction but alone will not bring about the changes we now know are necessary if we are to minimise the impacts of climate change in the near future."

Many of the 680 member organisations in 120 countries that were part of the Clean Up the World program in 2005 will participate in Earth Day activities on 22 April. Tens of thousands of volunteers will join together to raise awareness about ways to take personal action on climate change, as well as cleaning up local waterways, taking part in re-vegetation projects and organising environmental education activities.

"Earth Day Network and Clean Up the World are two like minded organisations with the common goal to improve the health of our planet.

"As an advocate for the global environment, Clean Up the World is concerned that too little leadership is being shown by governments to limit the impacts of what is the biggest threat humanity faces," Mr Kiernan said.

Earth Day activities on climate change, among the hundreds of Clean Up the World member organisations, include: Massive Campaign for Disadvantaged Development in Uganda will conduct tree planting and public awareness activities; The Environmental Safety Group in Gibraltar will partner with a local NGO to have an Exhaust Free Day, and; in the Caraga region of the Philippines, the Environmental Management Bureau will conduct roadside vehicle emissions testing to promote ways of reducing greenhouse pollution.

Brought together by the United Nations Environment Programme, Clean Up the World and Earth Day Network have worked together since 2004. Both organisations encourage their members to implement environmental initiatives under the Clean Up the World and Earth Day banners.

Clean Up the World Weekend is 15-17 September 2006. For more information visit www.cleanuptheworld.org.

For information on Earth Day Network and its Climate Change Solutions Campaign visit www.earthday.net.

Clean Up the World is a campaign held in conjunction with our Primary Partner United Nations Environment Programme. Patron- Fondation d'Entreprise Veolia Environnement. Global Media Partner - National Geographic Channels International. Sponsor - Qantas. Supporter - The Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

- ENDS -

To celebrate Earth Day 2006 the following activities will be conducted by Clean Up the World Members. Detailed information about environmental activities in your area/country is available. For more information please visit www.cleanuptheworld.org , email or phone +61 2 9692 0700.

AFRICA
BURKINA FASO - Association pour un Developpement Durable Burkina Faso (ADD) will conduct a clean up event in Sore township followed by a discussion on climate change to inspire people to respect the environment in their daily lives.
CAMEROON - In the North West province, the Agriculture and Rural Development Promoters (AGRUDEP), will promote conservation awareness and practical environmental initiatives in collaboration with local authorities.
IVORY COAST - ONG Vivre Sainment will organise a community clean up in the Abidjan district collecting waste from streets, beaches and the zoological gardens and hold a desertification workshop promoting awareness of UNEP's International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
KENYA - Organised by Tembea Youth Centre for Sustainable Development, an estimated 800 volunteers will take part in tree planting and public discussions regarding key local environmental issues in the Ugunja township, in conjunction with Global Youth Service Day.
KENYA - An estimated 300 volunteers from local schools, youth groups and fishermen will join Udogo Youth Development Group in planting trees.
MALI - Association Libre Pour la Promotion de l'Habitat et du Logement (ALPHALOG) will launch an environmental clean schools competition in Niono.
MOROCCO - Under the theme 'Save our Earth' the Center of Environmental Issues and Regional Development at Alakhawayn University will hold a park clean up and a film screening on the importance of ecological balance.
NIGERIA - The Niger Delta Clean Up Committee, a local NGO, will hold an environmental awareness raising activity.
TANZANIA - Tanzania Conference Services Pty Ltd, a consultancy firm, will facilitate tree planting, recycling and clean up activities as part of its ongoing 'Clean Up Our City' program.
TOGO - Femmes Volontaires Debouts pour le Developpement Durable will coordinate waste collection and weed removal activities in the market area of Danyi N'Digbe village.
UGANDA - Massive Campaign for Disadvantaged Development, a local environmental organisation, will conduct tree planting and anti pollution activities to raise awareness and take action against climate change.

ASIA PACIFIC
INDIA - The International Society of Naturalists will launch their 'Clean Up Our City' program that will run until Biosphere Day on September 21. Thousands of youth and local tribal women will participate in clean ups, a poster competition, tree planting to restore native vegetation and nurturing of indigenous plants.
JAPAN - 20,000 volunteers are expected to participate in clean ups at several waterway and non-waterway sites across Japan organised by the Japan Environmental Action Network. It will also launch its 'Spring Clean Up Campaign', running for three months until June.
MALAYSIA - The Soroptimist International Club of Johor Bahru, with support of the City Mayor, will coordinate a tree planting day in a local park and launch an ecosystem competition for local school students.
PAKISTAN - With support from the local council, sponsors and schools, the Human Development Organisation will hold a range of activities including tree planting, waste recycling and an environmental awareness campaign entitled "Working Together for Environmental Result."
PHILIPPINES - The Caraga Environmental Management Bureau will conduct a park clean up on April 9, a waste management and recycling workshop on April 18, and roadside vehicle emission testing on April 26.
SRI LANKA - The Green Circle - Dambadeniya Development Foundation, a local NGO, will educate rural communities in Dambadeniya about the importance of clean drinking water and how they can improve their lifestyle through sustainable development activities.

EUROPE
BULGARIA - The Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement will organise several schools to participate in quizzes, concerts and clean ups, aiming to educate local children about environmental protection.
GIBRALTAR - The Environmental Safety Group (ESG) will set up a street stall and also work with a fellow NGO to support Exhaust Free Day by planning a community walk and cycle activity.
IRELAND - On April 29, 15 volunteers will assist Meath Beachcombers to carry out a Clean Up of Laytown Beach and also plant Marram grass.
LITHUANIA - Skapiskis Secondary School celebrate Earth Day every year. This year the students, teachers and municipality staff will Clean Up the park and public areas of Skapiskis Town. Students will also build a bird house.
POLAND - Our Earth Foundation (OEF) will conduct a Festival for 100 students from three local schools in Warsaw. Students will learn the significance of Earth Day, participate in a quiz about river, recycling and environment protection and clean up and receive flower bulbs to plant. OEF will also take part in the Earth Day Festival in Pola Mokotowskie Park, Warsaw where hundreds of NGOs, local producers of organic food, State Forests, national parks, schools will gather to make a big educational picnic dedicated to environmental protection.
SPAIN - Saneamientos de Cordoba, an urban environmental management company who support environmental education will organise a tree planting in the Cordoba mountain range with 100 children and 15 adults who will plant more than 200 trees.

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
BRAZIL - In Cacha-Pregos, Itaparica Island, Canto Ecológico will lead a clean up of the beach and mangrove areas in the hope these activities will encourage the return of dolphins to the bay.
COLOMBIA - In and around the Market Square of Villagorgona, Asociacion Civica por Colombia - Ecologica will hold tree plantings and a clean up. A mural will also be created to raise awareness about maintaining a clean environment.
COLOMBIA - Club Amigos de la Ecologia will hold a clean up of the local parks, a workshop for children, will set goals for the local community to reduce pollution and encourage people to sign the Good Faith Pact with the Environment which symbolises their commitment to follow environmental policies.
CUBA - Foro de Medio Ambiente Dr Jorge Ramon Cuevas will hold clean ups in parks and throughout the community and also plant trees.
CUBA - In the Nautico community, el Gobierno Municipal de Playa will carry out environmental activities with a school and a Senior Citizens club.
EL SALVADOR - La Ruta del Zapamiche will conduct a clean up of the Island Beaches of Zacatillo, Meanguera and Conchaguita located in the Gulf of Fonseca, which are all inhabited by marine turtles using reed bags made by the local indigenous community and will plant trees.
MEXICO - Residents of the Garcia Municipality will be able to handover unwanted materials to the Dirección de Ecologia del Municipio de Garcia which will then take the materials to a sanitary tip run by students.
MEXICO - 3,000 children will celebrate Earth Day and Children's Day in a combined festival on April 29. Juarez Limpio Asociacion Civil will run a stand at the festival encouraging children to draw and reflect creatively on environmental issues.
MEXICO - As part of their reforestation campaign, Dirección de Ecologia de Gomez Palacio, DGO will provide two rural communities with trees which they planted in two main plazas.
NICARAGUA - Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (MARENA) will launch Nicaragua's National Earth celebration though a press conference where environmental diplomas will be awarded and the Nicaraguan Minister of Cultural Education and Sports will institutionalise environmental education as a priority in school curriculum and programs.
URUGUAY - Liceo de Atlántida No 2 will begin their year long environmental program on Earth Day which will include a plastic and paper recycling project and caring for their school's garden and surrounding areas.
VENEZUELA - In Venezuela the Cooperativa Gente de Playa will hold a festival including tree planting and talks on a range of issues.

NORTH AMERICA
USA - The New York Restoration Project will run an Earth Day art activity for kids as part of their annual spring festival and will also hold a clean up with their partner, Friends of Fort Tryon Park encouraging participants to use the recycle bins provided.

WEST ASIA
GEORGIA - Rustavi Georgian Gymnasium Secondary School will conduct a lecture and exhibitions.
QATAR - The international Real Indian School will conduct a program of environmental talks, discussions and competitions open to the public.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - The Emirates Diving Association will coordinate the Abu Dhabi Cornish clean up, an environmental presentation at American community schools, other school visits and an underwater wreck clean up.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Emirates Environmental Group will hold a lecture on water conservation for the construction industry, conduct an environmental interschool public speaking competition and distribute posters and information to various schools.