United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Clean Up the World

Media Release
24 September 2008

Clean Up the World maps communities tackling Climate Change

For the first time ever, communities worldwide taking action to protect the environment as part of the Clean Up the World campaign will have the opportunity to plot their activities using a new online mapping function.

Developed with the support of Google, Clean Up the World’s technology partner, the new website will give participating groups the chance to profile and share their environmental activities as part of the Clean Up the World Weekend, 19-21 Sept, and the year-round campaign.

The Australian founder and chairman of the campaign, Ian Kiernan AO* said many of this year’s Clean Up the World activities will be focused on limiting the impacts of climate changes under the campaign’s theme ‘Start today….Save tomorrow – Clean Up Our Climate’.

“Tens of millions of people around the world taking simple actions is the perfect first step towards protecting the Earth for our future generations,” Mr Kiernan said.

“All over the world people are seeing the devastating effects of climate change. Clean Up the World provides every person and every community with the opportunity to do something about it.”

“Now, thanks to Clean Up the World’s use of Google Maps, we have the tool to visually show the extent of environmental action being undertaken around the world and motivate new communities to get involved in the campaign.”

Participating organisations and their volunteers will take part in a range of activities designed to improve the environment such as waste reduction and recycling, water and energy conservation, and revegetation.

The Clean Up the World campaign is in its 16th year and has the support of the United Nation’s Environment Programme (UNEP).

Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP, praised the efforts of organisations across the world involved in the Clean Up the World campaign.

"Climate change is the number one issue facing humanity at the turn of the 21st century - lives are threatened as is the very fabric of all countries and communities. So let’s all start today to save tomorrow." he said.

* AO Order of Australia awarded for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large.