WESTERN
EUROPE
AUSTRIA
The Austrian Minister of
Environment issued a statement on the occasion of World Environment Day,
which was echoed by a number of media and groups around the country. The
Minister focussed on issues such as the sustainable use of energy, climate
change, and sustainable economic development.
GERMANY
In Germany UNFCC put a direct
link to the UNEP WED í99 website from its homepage "Whatís New". UNFCCC
Subsidiary Bodies celebrated WED and carried immense publicity about their
programme reaching many people around the country.
GREECE
World Environment Day in
Greece was celebrated with greater emphasis on the dissemination of information
to the populace. Prior to WED, the Minister of Environment organized a
seminar entitled "Protected Areas and the Natural Network 2000".
The Greek Ministry of Environment
reproduced this yearís WED logo on paper bags and a special WED poster
was distributed throughout the country. The day was commemorated by schools,
municipalities, NGOs, on numerous TV shows, song festivals and art exhibitions.
ITALY
In Italy, the province of
Turin celebrated World Environment Day with the involvement of more than
50 schools within the province. Environmental initiatives were presented
in project form and awards presented to the winners.
MALTA
In Malta, on the occasion
of World Environment Day, the messages from the UN Secretary-General and
UNEPís Executive Director, as well as UNEPís press release were posted
on the Environment Protection Department website (www.environment.gov.mt/activities).
On 4 June an open-air environmental exhibition
was held at Valetta, where the Department and NGOs promoted their activities.
This activity has now become an
annual event. That evening the Ministry
of Environment hosted a reception, which was attended by some 600 people
? all involved in the environment field. Following the Ministerís brief
remarks, the guests informally discussed the countryís environmental challenges.
A the same event, two local councils were presented with trophies for their
environmental protection activities in the previous year. In addition,
a photo exhibition was held and the Minister of Environment delivered a
WED message in the media.
SWEDEN
World Environment Day in Kalarne, Sweden
was celebrated around the communityís culture day. Activities included
a "Garbage Art" exhibition, an environmental parade and an environmental
award presentation to the company with the greatest involvement in fighting
for the environmental cause.
SWITZERLAND
Celebration in Switzerland marking
World Environment Day included the launching of the 1999 edition of the
Living
Planet Report. The report calculates consumption pressure and pollution
for 152 countries and measures the burden placed on the natural environment
by humanity. Th event enjoyed tremendous media coverage especially through
the World Wide Web.UNEPís Executive Director used the opportunity to outline
the human challenges to the environment, thus attracting the attention
of the widest possible public. In doing this, the road was opened between
governments and private firms to further cooperation in creating new synergies
for the future.
TURKEY
In celebration of World Environment
Day, two significant activities were undertaken in Turkey. The first was
the launching of a memorial forest, made of Ciconia stocks, which is aimed
at creating an interest in nature by Turkish children and educating and
sensitizing them to the need to protect the environment. To this end, more
than 200 seedlings were planted.
Excursions to natural and historic
sites, aimed at creating environmental awareness in young people and the
public at large was undertaken. This was followed by a conference on the
environment, where lectures touching on environmental problems were brought
to light. In Istanbul, WED was celebrated on the Bosphorus Straits where
environmental organizations joined forces in a multi-coloured parade of
some 100 boats.
UNITED KINGDOM
The United Nations Information Center,
in collaboration with British Standard Institution, held a conference on
the environment under the theme "Environmental Technology í99".
Environmental policy developments and practical advice on how to enhance
the competitive edge through environmental practices were explored, and
provided an opportunity for companies to learn about environmental policies.
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