NEWS

As part of its 40th Anniversary, Earth Day is helping organize and support many programs throughout India.

These programs are part of a worldwide effort involving citizens in more than 190 countries around the globe who are taking action for Earth Day to fight climate change and build a global green economy.

Events all over the world range from tree plantings and school greenings to environmental rallies, performances by known artists and community dialogues with elected officials.

More than one billion people are taking action for Earth Day to fight climate change and build a global green economy.

Earth Day Network and its partners are orchestrating large events in Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, and other towns of India, as well as Washington, D.C., New York City, New York, Rabat, Morocco, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Tokyo, Japan.

"Forty years after the first Earth Day, we are galvanizing people across the globe around this milestone to take action for the environment and find solutions to climate change," said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network. "Citizens around the world aim to bring the issue of climate change to the forefront of the global consciousness."

While announcing plans for India, Karuna Singh, Country Director - India, Earth Day Network, said: "This is the first time that Earth Day Network is helping organize activities in India at such a large scale. It is heartening to see how many people as well as organizations have readily come forward to do something for Planet Earth. Earth Day Network looks forward to continuing to work with them to build on the momentum already created by the 40th Anniversary celebrations."

Through the Global Day of Conversation program, Earth Day Network is working with more than 200 mayors and locally-elected officials and their constituents in more than 39 countries to discuss and exchange ideas on the issues of climate change and community sustainability.

Spotlight countries hosting a Global Day of Conversation include Morocco, Iceland, Mexico and Armenia.

For the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, Earth Day Network is coordinating several educational and awareness building programs in Hyderabad including:

April 22 to 24:
· The Andhra Pradesh Environment Connect (a group of NGOs, academics, forest officials and others that work for the environment in Andhra Pradesh) has planned the following events on Earth Day:
Ø A Walk For Earth by Forest Beat Officers, Forest Section Officers and officer trainees of the Andhra Pradesh (AP) Forest Development Corporation undergoing trainee in the AP Forest Academy.
Ø Competitions on Environmental Themes in the Engineering colleges located close to the AP Forest Academy and Centre for Forestry and Natural Resources Management and competitions on Environmental themes for the grass root level officers undergoing training in the AP Forest Academy.

· The Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN) will screen the film "Home" at multiple places across the city of Hyderabad in partnership with the U.S. Consulate.

· IYCN along with Earth Sense, an NGO, and with the support of the Andhra Pradesh Environment Connect is organizing an e-waste campaign. The campaign will aim at creating awareness on e-waste along with collecting waste at certain points in the city for it to be eventually recycled.

· The Indian Business School in Hyderabad will have tree planting by their students, as well as a quiz.

April 22, Chennai: The Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN) has a plantation drive planned with the NGO Bhumi and the Tamil Nadu State Forest Department. In Bangalore, they will "Adopt a Lake" and help in the clean-up of this water body.

Nationally:
April 22 (EARTH DAY):
· Nature walks for children will be organized by the WWF in 14 cities of India

In each city there will be a Nature Trail followed by an activity for marginalized children to sensitize children to the wealth of biodiversity around them and connecting them to the planet is the objective of this activity.

Key cities where Nature walks will be held are Guwahati, Assam; Kolkata, West Bengal; Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh; Bhubaneswar, Orissa; Shimla, Himachal Pradesh; Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Bangalore, Karnataka; Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

· A Nation Wide Paper Bag making Campaign by TERI

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is organizing nationwide Paper Bag making campaign. TERI will be distributing the paper bags in markets and the shop owners will be encouraged to use these and not plastic bags. School children too will take part in this campaign and one class period across India will be designated when schools will encourage their children to make the bags.

Apart from this, TERI will also be organizing Climate Change Quiz, Story Telling Competition on environmental wisdom, painting competition on saving Yamuna, Inter-school dance competition on spirit of life in consonance and harmony with five natural elements.

· Environmental initiatives by Sanctuary Asia

This Earth Day, Sanctuary (India's best known environment magazine) and the program Kids for Tigers plan to remind elders across all Indian cities that they join hands to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of kids and not foist environmental nightmares on them.

In Mumbai, Sanctuary Asia will host a "Birthday Party for Mother Earth" and children will attend fun-filled events that provide enjoyment, and at the same time, help them focus on the necessity to protect planet Earth.


Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment.

Earth Day Network campaign and programs are predicated on the belief that an educated, energized population will take action to secure a healthy future for itself and its children.

The organization has a global reach with a network of more than 20,000 partners and organizations in 190 countries.

Earth Day Network is a 501(c)3 organization located in Washington, D.C.

--IBNS