Media release 30 may 2008
world environment day interest exceeds expectations
Interest in World Environment Day on Thursday next week has exceeded Environment Canterbury’s expectations in
Christchurch with over $45,000 worth of sustainable products and services being donated for an expo, the main event
marking the day in Canterbury.
Heat pumps to pellet fires, nappies to composting and solar panels to consulting packages all are features at the day.
The expo is being organised by Environment Canterbury and The Ministry for the Environment, and the key event partners
are Switch and the Christchurch City Council.
World Environment Day (WED), commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United
Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.
The main international celebrations of World Environment Day 2008 are being held in New Zealand this year with events
throughout the country and Wellington acting as the international host city.
“It’s been just amazing,” Environment Canterbury Communications Manager Bill Simpson said.
“The interest in the day is certainly building. We have organised the Step Up Canterbury Expo as the days main event in
the region but we are also broadening the reach by handing out free tree seedlings and encouraging people to use public
transport on Thursday.”
“We have far more products for the auctions at the expo than we expected. The Expo provides a great opportunity for the
public to have direct contact with businesses supplying sustainable products and services – they will learn a lot in a
fun environment and have the opportunity to earn points for free to bid for products in the auctions during the day – no
real money changes hands.”
Items up for auction include HRV ventilation systems worth $4,500, New Zealand Nappy Alliance reusable nappies valued at
$3,000, Solarchitect Home Energy rating Reports worth $2,400, an EcoCoffin worth $900 and Sola60 Flat Plate Solar
Collectors valued at $3,500.
‘We are asking Cantabrians to ‘Step Up’ and adopt a cleaner, greener lifestyle as part of World Environment Day,”
Simpson said.
“We will be in the world’s environmental spotlight on Thursday and we are very keen to make sure we do our bit.”
Doors open at the expo from 12 noon and admission is free. There are auctions and entertainment on the Switch Stage
throughout the day that include a debate between Christ College Students and City Councillors on whether Environment
Canterbury is doing enough to tackle global warming, the opportunity to learn how to be more sustainable at home with
eco TV expert Tristan Glendinning from TV3’s Wa$ted and some surprises organisers have planned to keep the day
informative and entertaining.
The expo also features Rejuvenate, an arts competition using reclaimed and recycled materials with master Artist Tony
Bond. It will be the artistic and cultural highlight of the Expo that will see 10 designers and artists competing for
first prize in the competition.
The expo features a number of innovative exhibitors, including an early 1900s electric truck and the Solar Fern Racing,
a team of Christchurch engineers who designed, tested and built solar powered racing car, the Solar Fern. It was New
Zealand’s only solar powered car to enter the 2007 Panasonic World Solar Challenge, a gruelling 3000km solar powered car
race from Darwin to Adelaide. They are currently preparing for the 2009 World Solar Challenge.
Cantabrians throughout the region will also have the opportunity to pick up free tree seedlings from fifteen
participating BP Service stations. The tree seedlings offer motorists the opportunity to plant a tree to help absorb
carbon, demonstrating their commitment to ‘Kicking the Habit” (the ‘carbon’ habit).
ends
Editors notes
For more Step up Canterbury expo information see http://www.stepupcanterbury.org.nz/
Switch is a Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd business based in Blenheim Road, Christchurch. Switch provides integrated
energy solutions for businesses and homes, with a focus on renewables, and markets wood pellet boilers, solar water
heating and other energy appliances with a network of distributors throughout the country. Go to www.switchenergy.co.nz
World Environment Day (WED), commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the
United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.
The main international celebrations of World Environment Day 2008 will be held in New Zealand and although there are
events throughout New Zealand, Wellington is the international host city.
The focus of the global 2008 celebrations hosted in New Zealand will be on the solutions and the opportunities for
countries, companies and communities to "Kick the habit" and de-carbonize their economies and life-styles.
World Environment Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm
Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the
creation of UNEP. (United Nations Environment Programme)
The day's agenda is to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of
sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes
towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more
prosperous future. World Environment Day is also a popular event with colourful activities such as street rallies,
bicycle parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, as well as recycling and
cleaning-up campaigns.
On that particular day, heads of State, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment deliver statements and commit
themselves to care for the Earth. Pledges are made which lead to the establishment of permanent governmental structures
dealing with environmental management. It also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental
conventions.
Last year, the main WED event was held in Norway, with the theme Melting Ice? a Hot Topic?, and focused on the effects
that climate change is having on polar ecosystems and communities, and the ensuing consequences around the world.
Measures include greater energy efficiency in buildings and appliances, including light bulbs, up to a switch towards
cleaner and renewable forms of electricity generation and transport systems
To measure and reduce your CO2 emissions, visit www.carbonzero.co.nz/calculators/
More details on World Environment Day including a calendar showing the build-up of events in New Zealand can be found
at www.world.environment.govt.nz .