MANY TO MANY 65 – THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MESSAGE FOR WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

Issue 65
Sept 1998
THE UN SEC-GEN'S MESSAGE FOR WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MESSAGE FOR WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

The theme for this year's World Environment Day, 'For Life on Earth: Save Our Seas', is an appeal to each and every one of us to protect and focus our attention on one of our planet's most valuable resources: the oceans.

Oceans comprise more than 70 per cent of the Earth's surface. Nearly two-thirds of humanity – some 3.5 billion people – inhabit coastal areas and depend on coastal and marine environments for their livelihood. Twenty years from now, this population is expected to have reached 7 billion.

For far too long we have regarded the oceans' resources as inexhaustible. We have viewed the oceans as a bottomless receptacle for unlimited waste. With changing land-use patterns due to the pressures of an ever-increasing population, with the development of industries, with the massive use of agro-chemicals, the oceans have reached the limits of their capacity to assimilate the waste generated by human activities.

Our self-centered approach has damaged human health, ecosystems and economic productivity. Any approach to meaningful and effective protection of the marine environment must factor in the full complexity of modern life – from politics to technology, from science to the law.

On this day – whether we live near the ocean or not – let us demonstrate our commitment to protecting the environment. Let us prevent any further damage to our one and only Earth. Let us make this mission a priority in our daily lives. Let us recognize that our lives depend upon it.

This year's international celebrations for World Environment Day took place in Moscow, the coldest and most densely populated city on the globe. About 8,400 people live on 1 square kilometre in Moscow compared with 5,400 in Tokyo and 3,900 in London.

The Government has adopted a package of special ecological programmes which are now being implemented, which include fitting cars with catalytic converters and encouraging the use of alternative transport running on cleaner types of fuel; building incinerators and recycling plants and developing an environmental education programme.

Many to Many
a quarterly publication issued by
Operation Peace through Unity
An accredited NGO in association with the UN Dept of Public Information

Anthony Brooke and Gita Brooke, co-founders
Te Rangi, 4 Allison Street, Wanganui 5001, New Zealand
phone/fax: +64-6-345-5714 ~ e-mail: larrym@clear.net.nz

Many to Many
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Operation Peace Through Unity
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