 The Regional Office for North America (RONA), established in Washington, D.C. in October 2000, is one of six regional offices that make up UNEP’s Division of Regional Cooperation. From 1988 to 1994 UNEP maintained a Liaison Office in
Washington, D.C.
The North American region comprises Canada and the United States of America -- two of the largest countries in the world. The region is home to many outstanding environmental, academic and scientific institutions. The economy has global reach and its commercial sector is creative, vibrant and open to experimenting with new ways of doing business.
RONA’s mission is to promote effective responses to international environmental challenges, and to foster cooperation on environmental issues between North America and the broader international community. [more]
Seal the Deal!
The United Nations is leading a powerful campaign to
encourage governments to seal the deal on a fair, balanced and
effective climate agreement when they meet in Copenhagen from 7
- 18 December 2009.
[more]
The campaign has one vital aim: to encourage governments of the world to agree on a deal that will protect people and the planet, and promote a global green economy when they meet to negotiate a new climate change agreement in Copenhagen in December.
Visit
www.sealthedeal2009.org to sign the Climate Petition!
 
Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa and Mayor of Toronto David Miller 'Seal the Deal' at the Governors' Global Summit in California.
(January - May)
Website Design Intern Needed! Do you have a great eye for design, know HTML, Dreamweaver, and have at least intermediate Photoshop skills?
19th Annual International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment
 The International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment is organized by UNEP, the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace and the Environment, Bayer Corporation and Nikon. The competition invites young people between the ages of 6 and 14 years to submit their paintings on this year’s theme: “Biodiversity: Connecting with Nature.” Paintings must be sent to the relevant UNEP Regional Office by April 15, 2010. Click here for information on entry rules and prizes.
Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC, 4-6 February 2009– Taking place in Washington, DC just days after the new administration and Congress are sworn in, the 2009 conference is expected to attract more than 2,000 attendees representing business, labor, environmental and community leaders to forge an agenda for creating jobs and exploring new green technologies that will help to solve global warming, increase our energy independence and improve the health of people
|and the environment.
This is an opportunity for you to be a part of this important dialogue. Don't miss it. Register today. http://www.greenjobsconference.org/
Put your group on the Clean Up the World Map!
Clean Up the World is a global campaign that inspires communities to clean up, fix up and conserve the environment. Held in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, it mobilises an estimated 35 million people across 120 countries – who conduct a range of activities ranging from waste removal and tree planting to water and energy conservation projects.
Launched with the support of its technology partner Google, the new website activities.cleanuptheworld.org lets you join the Clean Up the World campaign and put your group and its environmental activities on the global map. To get involved visit http://activities.cleanuptheworld.org or email info@cleanuptheworld.org
Billion Tree Campaign to Grow into the Seven Billion Tree Campaign
Nairobi, 13 May 2008 – UNEP has launched a major tree planting campaign worldwide. For stories and photos of activities in North America, click here. [Press Release - English]
Climate Change links 2008 Champions of the Earth award winners: Award ceremony to be held in April in Singapore
Nairobi, 28 January 2008 – Prince Albert II of Monaco, former US Senator Timothy E. Wirth and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark – whose country will host World Environment Day this year with the theme ‘Kick the Habit: Towards a Low Carbon Economy!’ – are among the seven environmental achievers chosen for this year’s awards, the United Nations Environment Programme announced today.
[Press Release - English] [Press Release - French]
International Children's Conference on the Environment , Norway, 17-21 June 2008
Geared towards children ages 10-14, a 5 day program of workshops and activities for kids coming from all over the world. Applications for North Americans accepted until 15 January 2008. More Info
Financing the Transition from a Brown to a Green Global Economy Tops Environment Ministers’ Meeting
Nairobi/Monaco, 11 February 2008 – The biggest gathering of environment ministers to take place since the climate change breakthrough in Bali will be happening in Monaco later this month under the theme “Mobilizing Finance for the Climate Challenge”
[Press Release - English] [Press Release - French]
GEO4 Featured in National Council for Science and the Environment Newsletter!!
 Explore a comprehensive and credible assessment of the global environment. This week the Earth Portal features UNEP's Global Environment Outlook 4 and related recent events, top related websites, and other features. http://www.earthportal.org/?p=503
Environment Canada: Environmental Conferences and Events
Angela Cropper of Trinidad and Tobago Named New UNEP Deputy Executive Director by UN Secretary-General
Ms Angela Cropper of Trinidad and Tobago was today named as the Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The announcement was made by Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary-General. Ms Cropper took up her post on 6 February 2008. Ms Cropper is President of The Cropper Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable organization committed to sustainable development and was until recently independent member of the Senate of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. [Press Release]
Dolphins and Whales 3D: Tribes of the Oceans
Santa Monica, CA and London, UK, 24 January 2008 – 3D IMAX film narrated by Daryl Hannah, premieres on 13 February 2008 in Boston's New England Aquarium .[Press Release]
North American Civil Society Consultation
Washington, DC – RONA held the 2007 North American Civil Society Consultation 1 - 2 November. The meeting was one of six regional consultations organized by UNEP to prepare for the Ninth Global Civil Society Forum and the Tenth Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, both of which will take place at the end of February 2008 in the Principality of Monaco. For agenda and selected presentations, click here.
For photos and other information, go to http://www.unep.org/rona_cso/cso2007/
UNEP Launches Year Book 2008 at Special Session of Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Monaco
Monaco, 20 February 2008 – An emerging Green Economy is glimpsed in the latest United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Year Book as growing numbers of companies embrace environmental policies and investors pump hundreds of billions of dollars into cleaner and renewable energies.
[Press Release - English] [Press Release - French]
UNEP Launches Global Environment Outlook. Planet’s Tougher Problems Persist, Report Warns
Nairobi/New York, 25 October 2007 – The United Nations Environment Programme says that major threats to the planet such as climate change, the rate of extinction of species, and the challenge of feeding a growing population are among the many that remain unresolved, and all of them put humanity at risk.
The warning comes in UNEP’s Global Environment Outlook: environment for development (GEO-4) report. GEO-4, the latest in UNEP’s series of flagship reports, assesses the state of the atmosphere, land, water and biodiversity, describes the changes since 1987, and identifies priorities for action. Links to: [Global Press Release] [North American Media Brief].
For more information and materials, go to: http://www.unep.org/geo/geo4/media/Login.asp Here you’ll find summaries, video news releases, other regional Media Briefs, Fact Sheets, posters, graphics and much more.
Ottawa, Canada , 25 October 2007: The North American launch of UNEP’s Global Environment Outlook (GEO-4) was held in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The press conference panel included (from right to left) Christian Lambrechts, UNEP Policy and Programme Officer, Division of Early Warning and Assessment; Jane Barr, Research Associate, International Institute for Sustainable Development; David Runnalls, President of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, and the moderator was Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, Officer-in-Charge at UNEP’s Regional Office for North America (RONA).
UNEP Unveils the Climate Neutral Network to Catalyze a Transition to a Low Carbon World
 Monaco/Nairobi, 21 February 2008 – Four countries, four cities and five corporations have become the pioneering founders of a bold new initiative to address climate change and the urgent need to de-carbonize the global economy. The participants are the first to join the Climate Neutral Network (CN Net), launched today (Click on Logo) by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in cooperation with the UN’s Environment Management Group, as one inspiring solution to the challenge of rising greenhouse gases. www.unep.org/climateneutral
Media Invitation to 10th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council
Monaco, 20 February 2008 – Journalists from around the world are invited to tune in and take part in the daily press conferences during the United Nations Environment Programme’s Global Ministerial Environmental Forum on 20 – 22 February. For more information please visit www.unep.org/gc/gcss-x
2008 UNEP Sasakawa Prize.
Looking for candidates for UNEP Sasakawa Prize. The theme for which candidates are elegible is “Moving towards a low carbon economy". Deadline is 15 March 2008, and their Email is sasakawa@unep.org
Winners of UNEP Champions of the Earth Awards 2008 Call for Urgent Action on Climate Change
[Press Release - English] [Press Release - French]
Melting Ice, a Hot Topic Exhibit at Field Museum in Chicago Bridging Earth Day to World Environment Day
[Press Release]
UNEP launches "Green Passport" campaign at Berlin Tourism Fair
 Berlin/Nairobi, 7 March 2008 – Green travel tips for the world's growing number of international tourists were launched today by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The internet-based campaign, "Green Passport", aims to raise tourists' awareness of their potential to contribute to sustainable development by making responsible holiday choices
www.unep.fr/greenpassport
|
Bayer and United Nations Environment Programme Launch 19th Annual International Children’s Painting Competition in Elementary and Middle Schools
Pittsburgh, Nov. 12, 2009 - Bayer Corporation and the United Nations Environment Programme's Regional Office for North America (UNEP RONA) today called for entries in the 19th annual International Children's Painting Competition (ICPC). The ICPC is open to 6- to 14-year-olds. Their art is to focus on protecting Earth's life forms and natural resources in keeping with the competition's theme - Biodiversity: Connecting with Nature. [more]
Entry rules
Laws Protecting the Environment during Wars Need Enforcing and Strengthening to Deal with New Challenges
UN Environment Programme Report Launched on International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
Nairobi, 6 November 2009 – Strengthening, enforcing and clarifying existing laws protecting environment in times of conflict could go a long way towards protecting a country’s natural assets during wars, says a new report by legal experts released today by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). [more]
For the full report visit: http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/int_law.pdf
To read more about the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, 6 November, visit: http://www.un.org/en/events/environmentconflictday/
“Do Your Part” for the Planet
Launch of Sustainability Youth Video Contest for the 2010 Winter Games
Vancouver, 03 November 2009 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has partnered with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), the Government of Canada and Panasonic Corporation to launch in Canada “Do Your Part” - a national youth video contest focused on the theme of sustainability.Canadian youth between the ages of 13 and 24 are invited to submit a 30- to 90- second video or animation clip, which shows how they could do their part to live more sustainably during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and beyond. [more] [French version]
Video Contest Information
Video Contest Information in French
Upgrading Ozone Layer Treaty to Assist in Combating Climate Change Key Issue at International Meeting in Egypt
21st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
Nairobi/Port Ghalib, 2 November 2009 — Accelerating the contribution of a treaty to protect the ozone layer towards meeting the climate change challenge will take place at the 21st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in the Red Sea resort of Port Ghalib, Egypt, from 4-8 November. Representatives from over 190 countries attending the international conference will assess whether a group of synthetic gases known as hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) might be better controlled under the Montreal Protocol rather than the Kyoto Protocol, the climate change treaty. [more]
Pittsburgh Selected North American Host City for World Environment Day 2010
PITTSBURGH, October 15, 2009 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has named Pittsburgh the host city for World Environment Day (WED) 2010 in North America. The theme is “Biodiversity: Connecting with Nature.” Local government officials, businesses, organizations and individuals will work  with UNEP’s Regional Office for North America (RONA) to schedule a series of events during the six weeks that “bridge the gap” between the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 and World Environment Day on June 5. [more]
[more photos]
At a press conference announcing Pittsburgh as host city of North America's World Environment Day 2010, are, from left to right: Bayer Corporation CEO Greg Babe, UNEP RONA Deputy Director Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.
Combating Climate Change and Realizing Low Carbon Growth in Developing Economies
UNEP and Finance Groups Spotlight Transformative Policies to Beat Down the Barriers
Cape Town, 26 October 2009 — Ways of triggering multi-billion dollar, low carbon technology investments in developing economies are outlined in a new report today. Experts indicate that investments of around US$500 billion a year will be needed to assist developing countries adapt to climate change while powering low carbon growth. [more]
Biofuels—New Report Brings Greater Clarity to Burning Issue
International Panel Says Some Crop-Based Fuels Show Positive Climate Benefits: Others Environmentally Questionable
Nairobi, 16 October 2009—A far more sophisticated approach needs to be taken when developing biofuels as an environmentally-friendly energy option a new report concludes.Governments should fit biofuels into an overall energy, climate, land-use, water and agricultural strategy if their deployment is to benefit society, the economy and the environment as a whole. [more]
For a summary of the report click here. The full report can be downloaded at www.unep.fr/en.
Healthy Oceans New Key to Combating Climate Change
Seagrasses to Salt Marshes Among Most Cost Effective Carbon Capture and Storage Systems on Planet But Urgent Action Needed to Maintain and Restore ‘Blue Carbon’ Sinks Warns Three UN Agencies
Cape Town, Nairobi, Rome, Paris, 14 October 2009—A ‘Blue Carbon’ fund able to invest in the maintenance and rehabilitation of key marine ecosystems should be considered by governments keen to combat climate change. A new Rapid Response Report released today estimates that carbon emissions--equal to half the annual emissions of the global transport sector--are being captured and stored by marine ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses. [more]
Access the report here.
Carbon finance is key to better protection of gorillas and elephants to maintain health of African rainforests says UN Ambassador
 Washington/Bonn, 13 October 2009 – The United Nations Ambassador for the Year of the Gorilla, Ian Redmond, has called for the inclusion of gorillas and elephants, as important components in African rainforests, in the upcoming climate negotiations in Copenhagen. [more]
30 Global Leaders Sign Declaration In Advance of Next Climate Agreement
Agreements Reached at Summit Send Powerful Message to Negotiators in Copenhagen
Los Angeles, California, Friday 2 October 2009 – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and United Nations officials today joined with 30 global leaders in Los Angeles, at the closing ceremony of the Governors’ Global Climate Summit 2 to sign a declaration committing to work together to pursue clean transportation and mobility, support national climate change legislation, include forests in climate policy development, acknowledge the need for adaptation efforts and recognize the role of subnational governments in the discussions on the next global climate agreement being negotiated in Copenhagen this December. [more]
Speaking at a plenary called "Think Globally, Act Locally - Leadership at the Local Level" are, from left to right: Governor Ing Fauzi Bowo, Jakarta Provincial Government, Indonesia; Premier Gordon Campbell, Province of British Columbia, Canada; Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, Lagos State, Nigeria; Amy Fraenkel, Director, United Nations Environment Programme's Regional Office for North America, United States; Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City of Los Angeles, California, United States; Moderator Judy Woodruff, Senior Correspondent,"The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer"; Christian Guyonvarc'h, Vice President of the Regional Government of Brittany, France and Vice President of the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (NRG4SD);Claus Juhl, Chief Executive Officer,Copenhagen, Denmark; Assistant Mayor Ki-chun Kim, Seoul, South Korea; Mayor David Miller, City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Chair of C-40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.
Governor Schwarzenegger and United Nations Open Governors’ Global Climate Summit 2
States Advance Efforts to Find Solutions to Global Climate Challenge, Build Green Economies
September 30, 2009 – In Los Angeles today, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and United Nations officials welcomed more than 1,200 attendees from more than 70 states, provinces and countries to the Governors’ Global Climate Summit 2. As the largest gathering of regional leaders focused on climate solutions, this summit will help to develop cooperative partnerships and promote collaborative actions needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build green economies and fight global climate change. [more] View a live webcast of the Summit here
View an interview with RONA's Director Amy Fraenkel
here.
Gov. Schwarzenegger and United Nations Announce Co-Hosts of Governors' Global Climate Summit 2
U.S. and International Leaders Come Together in Advance of Next Global Agreement to Address Climate Change
September 29, 2009, Sacramento – Urging leaders from across the globe to further their commitment to collective action in our fight against climate change, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced the U.S. governors who will be joining him as co-hosts of the Governors’ Global Climate Summit 2 on September 30 through October 2 in Los Angeles. [more]
Lighting-Up the Climate Change Challenge
Global Phase-Out of Old Bulbs Announced by UN, GEF, and Industry
Washington DC/Nairobi, 25 September 2009 – A new global initiative to accelerate the uptake of low energy light bulbs and efficient lighting systems was launched today by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The close to $20 million initiative, the Global Market Transformation for Efficient Lighting Platform that will be implemented in collaboration with the private sector companies OSRAM and Philips, is aimed at reducing the bills of electricity consumers in developing economies while delivering cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases. [more]
Towards Copenhagen: Greening the Global Economy
Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), will give a keynote address and lead a panel discussion on greening the global economy in Washington D.C. on September 25, 2009, just three months before world leaders meet in Copenhagen, Denmark for the United Nations Climate Conference. This panel discussion, which deals with the importance of reaching a climate deal in Copenhagen, is in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), the International Reporting Project and the Pew Environment Group. [Media Advisory] [Speech by Achim Steiner]
Impacts of Climate Change Coming Faster and Sooner
New UNEP Science Report Underlines Urgency for Governments to Seal the Deal in Copenhagen
Washington/Nairobi, 24 September 2009 –The pace and scale of climate change may now be outstripping even the most sobering predictions of the last report of the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC). [more]
[North America Press Release]
Many Countries Factoring Environmental Investments into Economic Stimulus Packages
Overall Size of Global Green New Deal Investments is Half What's Needed, UNEP Report Advises as G20 Meet in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh/Nairobi, 24 September 2009 – The Asian economies of China and the Republic of Korea are emerging as global leaders in their commitments to invest significant slices of their stimulus packages in environmental, ‘green new deal’ projects. A Global Green New Deal update by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), launched as G20 nations meet in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, shows that over a third of China’s recovery spending is being focused on areas ranging from railways and water infrastructure to energy efficiency and renewables like wind and solar. [more]
Media Advisory: UNEP launches Climate Change Science Compendium
September 21, 2009 – As governments prepare to meet in Copenhagen for the crucial United Nations Climate Conference in December, UNEP presents the “Climate Change Science Compendium 2009,” the latest, peer-reviewed climate science that has emerged since the IPCC’s 2007 report. The overall conclusion is that climate change is accelerating and the world is pushing, if not pushing past, key tipping points and thresholds. [Media Advisory]
 Corporate, Government and Community Volunteers to Gather at Anacostia Park to Celebrate Ocean Conservancy’s 24th International Coastal Cleanup
World’s Largest Volunteer Effort on Behalf of Oceans and Waterways
September 10, 2009, Washington, D.C. – With the backdrop of the nation’s Capitol, corporate, government and community volunteers will gather to kick-off Ocean Conservancy’s 24th annual International Coastal Cleanup—the world’s largest volunteer effort for oceans and waterways. [more]
Ottawans Invited to Sign Banners in Support of Global Climate Change Campaign
Ottawa is the first planned United Nations international “Seal the Deal!” event in Canada
Dr. Roberta Bondar, Canada's first female astronaut, "sealing the deal" in Ottawa
[photo] [photo] [photo] September 8, 2009, Ottawa, Ontario – Ottawa residents are invited to gather in the Eaton Court at the Rideau Centre tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9th between 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to sign a banner calling on governments to find an effective solution to the issue of climate change at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change conference, to be held in Copenhagen from December 7 to 18, 2009. [Press Release]
100 DAYS: UN Calls for Signatures for Action on Climate Change
Nairobi, 28 August 2009 – The United Nations is calling for millions of online signatures for a climate petition and is launching the first-ever Global Climate Week as part of its Seal the Deal! campaign, 100 days ahead of a crucial UN climate change summit in Copenhagen (COP 15) in December. [more]
Less Talk, More Action on Climate Change, Young People Urge World Leaders
Daejeon (Republic of Korea), 20 August 2009 – Young people from around the globe today called on world leaders to take radical measures against climate change. At the largest-ever truly global youth gathering on climate change, some 700 young people, ranging from 10 to 24 years of age,honed in on their governments’ track record in addressing climate change, emphasizing the need for strong vision and leadership. [more]
UNEP Announces Winners of the Global Children's Painting Competition
Nine-year-old Russian Wins Painting Competition on the Environment
Nairobi, 14 August 2009 – A nine-year-old girl from Siberia, Russia, has won this year’s Global Painting Competition on the Environment, beating more than two million entries from around the world with her striking depiction of two planets. [more]
Biggest-Ever Youth Gathering on Climate Change to Call for Real Action in Copenhagen
 Daejeon (Republic of Korea)/Nairobi (Kenya), 11 August 2009 – Emerging leaders representing three billion people – the children and youth of the planet – will converge on the Republic of Korea to voice their demands for action on climate change at the Copenhagen meeting. The Tunza International Children and Youth Conference, in Daejeon (Republic of Korea) on 17-23 August, will be the biggest youth gathering on climate change before the UN climate conference in December. [more]
Click here for fact sheets on:
The Tunza Conference
Children and Climate Change
Water and Climate Change
Planet Green's Blue August Month Dives into Summer with a Celebration of the Oceans
The Natural Resources Defense Council, Ocean Conservancy, Oceana and the United Nations Environment Programme join the effort
 This summer, Planet Green presents Blue August, a robust month of on-air and on-line programming that brings to life the wonders and mysteries of the aquatic – from the majesty of our oceans to the critical issue of clean drinking water. [more]
For more information on Planet Green's Blue August visit www.planetgreen.com/blueaugust.
Click here to see video.
Dive In to Blue August
Preview Acid Test
Test Your Oceans I.Q.
Seal the Deal! Campaign
 Seal the Deal! is the United Nations-led campaign to promote a definitive agreement on climate change when governments meet in Copenhagen from 7-18 December 2009. Endorsed by the UN Secretary General, this powerful campaign provides a framework for UN advocacy on climate change in 2009. Seal the Deal! is designed to mobilize everyone –political leaders, the business sector and civil society, including NGOs, women's groups, and youth organizations– on an ambitious, global scale to apply pressure for action on climate change. [more] [Act Now!]
San Francisco Launches Global Sustainable Tourism Initiative in U.S.
Mayor Newsom to introduce resolution at US Conference of Mayors
San Francisco, the birthplace of the United Nations, will be the lead US city to partner with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria Partnership, a coalition of more than 40 international conservation, development, and travel industry organizations to implement sustainable tourism principles. [Press Release] [Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria] [Resolution Adopted at Mayors' Conference] [Fact Sheet]
The partners responsible for the launch of the GSTC in San Francisco were represented by (from left to right): Joe D'Alessandro, Director, SF Convention & Visitor's Bureau; Michael Pace, Manager, W Hotel San Francisco; Leilani Latimer, Travelocity/Sabre, GTSC Steering Committee; Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, UNEP; Jared Blumenfeld, Director, SF Environment Department; Wade Crowfoot, Office of Mayor Gavin Newsom
Launch of "Marine Litter: A Global Challenge" on the Occasion of World Oceans Day
Report Brings to the Surface the Growing Global Problem of Marine Litter
Washington DC/Nairobi, 8 June 2009 – From discarded fishing gear to plastic bags to cigarette butts, a growing tide of marine litter is harming oceans and beaches worldwide, says a new report. [more] [Press Release] [photo]
Celebrating World Oceans Day with the Launch of the Marine Litter Report at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. are (left to right): Philippe Cousteau, President and CEO, EarthEcho International; Vikki Spruill, President and CEO, Ocean Conservancy; Amy Fraenkel, Director of UNEP RONA; and Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, Deputy Director of UNEP RONA.
UNEP and SeaWeb celebrate the first official World Oceans Day on June 8 at the National Press Club in
Washington, D.C. Left to right: Amy Fraenkel, Director, UNEP RONA; Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island); Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (Delegate from Guam); Mike Boots, White House Council on Environmental Quality; and Dawn Martin, President, SeaWeb.
[photo]
What do MP David McGuinty, EnCana, and the United Nations Environment Programme have in common?
 Hundreds gathered Wednesday with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) North America Director Amy Fraenkel and Ontario Environment Minister John Gerretsen to celebrate a local bright idea that has grown to an international NGO that empowers people to make smart choices that protect the environment. The event, called the One Change Catalyst Awards, was held to announce a new UNEP partnership with the award-winning Ottawa-based NGO and to... [Press Release] [more]
Omaha Named North American Host City for World Environment Day
 Omaha, Nebraska, April 9, 2009 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has selected Omaha as the host city for the North American celebrations of World Environment Day 2009. This year’s theme is "UNite to Combat Climate Change." [Press Release] [Official Omaha Website] [How to Lower Your Carbon Emissions]
Entries from UNEP's International Childrens Competition were showcased at the Omaha Children's Museum with key players who contrbuted to the success of World Environment Day in Omaha. Left to right: Lindy Hoyer, Executive Director, Omaha Children's Museum; Dr. Mae Jemison, First African American Woman Astronaut; Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, Deputy Director of UNEP RONA; Rebecca Lucore, Executive Director, Bayer USA Foundation; Kate Kavanaugh, Volunteer Extraordinaire; Amy Fraenkel, Director of UNEP RONA; Nicolette Amundson, Board Member, Green Coalition; and Mary Daugherty, Spirit behind World Environment Day in Omaha.
World Environment Day 2009 Recognized at the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Game on 5 June
UNEP RONA’s Director Amy Fraenkel, who delivered the game’s first pitch, is pictured at the far right.
[more]
Time to Give Forests, Mangroves, Peatlands and Climate-Friendly Agriculture a Bigger Role in Combating Climate Change, says UNEP
UNEP's Rapid Assessment report 'The Natural Fix? The Role of Ecosystems in Climate Mitigation' is released to mark World Environment Day 2009. [more]
Millions of people around the world Unite to Combat Climate Change for World Environment Day 2009
Tuesday, 2 June 2009 - People around the world will unite for the planet on 5 June for World Environment Day 2009, with a strong call for environmental action just six months before the crucial United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen. This year's theme is 'Your Planet needs You! Unite to combat climate change' - a topic that reflects everyone's individual responsibility to protect the planet, as well as the urgency for nations to agree on a new climate change deal in December. [more]
City Teens Take on Global Issues in One Planet, Many People High School Research Project Competition - UN Environment Programme Teams Up with NYC Department of Education to Support Learning of Global Issues
New York/Washington, DC, May 17, 2009 – New York City high school students design projects around the challenges of energy, deforestation and brownfields in the One Planet, Many People Research Project Competition and exhibition. Winning entries were announced at an awards ceremony at The New York Public Library on Thursday, May 21. [more] More photos: [1] [2]
Time to Get Tough on Alien Species
Editorial by Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on the occasion of International Biological Diversity Day. [more]
UNEP Announces North American Winner of 18th International Children's Painting competition: "Climate Change: Our Challenge"
 Palo Alto, Calif., sixth-grader Alice Fuzi Wang, a student at Jordan Middle
School, was awarded the top prize in the United Nations Environment
Programme’s (UNEP) 18th Annual International Children’s Painting
Competition in the North American region on Earth Day, April 22, 2009.
Alice, who competed against more than 800 students, received the award in
Washington, D.C. for her painting which artistically depicts the theme “Climate Change: Our Challenge.” For further information, including names
of 2nd and 3rd prize winners, see: [Press Release]
A comprehensive list of the 138 entries who will be receiving Certificates
of Honorable Mention for their creative efforts can be found at
[Certificates]
A Big Step Forward towards a DDT-Free World
Geneva/Nairobi/Washington DC, 6 May 2009 – The United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization, in partnership with the Global Environment Facility, today announced a rejuvenated international effort to combat malaria with an incremental reduction of reliance on the synthetic pesticide DDT. [Press Release - English] [Press Release - French] [The DSSA Programme in Africa at a glance] [Speech by Achim Steiner] [Malaria Leaflet]
Interview with UNEP RONA Director about Earth Day
Interview with Amy Fraenkel, Director UNEP RONA on the occasion of Earth Day conducted by students at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania. [Video]
Earth Day Message from Achim Steiner, Executive Director, United Nations
Environment Programme
On April 22, we celebrate the Anniversary of the first Earth Day in 1970, a
landmark in the history of the environmental movement - a movement, which
gave birth to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1972. [more]
Business for the Environment Summit brings together hundreds of key business leaders to discuss green solutions
Paris, 15 April 2009 – More than 700 leaders from business, civil society, international organizations and government are set to meet at the Business for the Environment Global Summit in Paris on 22-23 April to discuss ways of powering green growth around the globe. [Press Release - English] [Press Release - French] [Media Invitation]
Business Ready to Work on Building the Low-Carbon Economy
London, United Kingdom, 31 March 2009 – Responding to an invitation made at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos by Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 52 companies have joined forces with 34 experts and organizations to create an unprecedented low-carbon prosperity Task Force.
The main focus for the Task Force is to identify exactly how to create millions of green jobs in the short run and deflect economic growth onto a more sustainable, low-carbon path for the longer term. By working with organizations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Foundation and others, a key element of the Task Force’s work is to develop practical ideas on how to get significant flows of green technology and investment into developing countries fast. [more] [Open Letter to G20 Leaders]
UNEP to observe Earth Hour in support of action on climate change
Nairobi, 20 March 2009 – The United Nations will observe Earth Hour on Saturday, 28 March at its Headquarters in New York and at other UN facilities around the world including the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) offices in Nairobi, Kenya. It is part of an effort to mobilize global support for a new UN agreement to address climate change when governments meet in Copenhagen in December. [more]
Government of Canada Invests $4.5 Million in Canadian and International Freshwater
Ottawa, March 20, 2009 – The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, today announced that Canada will invest $2.5 million over five years to support the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Global Environment Monitoring System GEMS/Water, an international water science program aimed at understanding inland quality issues around the world. [Press Release - English] [Press Release - French]
World Water Day Message
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director UN
Environment Programme
Nairobi, 22 March 2008–Investing in the world's freshwaters could be one
of the keys to aiding global economic recovery. [more]
Delivering Tomorrow’s Economy and Job Market Today
From Renewable Energy to Freshwaters: Five Sectors Key to Sustainable Recovery
Nairobi, 19 March 2009—Investing one per cent of global GDP, or around $750 billion, into five key sectors could be the key to a Global Green New Deal. [more]
Join the Environmental Change and Security Program for a report launch of
From Conflict to Peacebuilding: The Role of Natural Resources and the Environment
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (reception at 6:00 p.m.), 6th Floor Flom Auditorium, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
On the panel will be: Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP); Daniel A. Reifsnyder, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment, Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science, U.S. Department of State; Andrew Morton, Programme Manager, Disasters and Conflicts Programme, UNEP [more]
International agencies launch 50% global fuel economy plan to key industry players at Geneva Motor Show
March 4, 2009 – A roadmap towards greater global fuel economy that would halve greenhouse gas emissions from cars must be embarked upon immediately, and integrated into financial support for the car industry, according to a joint international agency report issued today (4). The ’50 by 50’ Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) report shows how annual savings of six billion barrels of oil and 2 gigatonnes of CO2 – equivalent to half the total current annual emissions of the EU - are achievable through an ambitious world wide programme. [more]
Historic Treaty to Tackle Toxic Heavy Metal Mercury Gets Green Light
Nairobi, 20 February 2009 – A global crackdown on the poisonous pollutant
mercury was agreed by environment ministers at the end of the UN
Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Governing Council. [more] [Website]
Urban China: Informal Cities and Mathias Poledna's Crystal Palace
As part of its Art for Environment initiative, UNEP's Regional Office for
North America supports two new exhibitions at the New Museum in New York:
Urban China: Informal Cities and Mathias Poledna's Crystal Palace. For
more information, we invite you to visit: www.newmuseum.org
One Year Old and One Hundred Strong—Copenhagen becomes the 100th
participant of the UNEP Climate Neutral Network
Nairobi, 19 February 2009 – The City of Copenhagen today became the 100th
participant of the Climate Neutral Network (CN Net), an initiative led by
the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to promote global action
towards low-carbon economies and societies. [more]
Editorial by Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, on Mercury
[Press Release EN] [Press Release FR]
UNEP and Microsoft Announce Partnership to Help Address Environmental Issues by Leveraging Technology
Agreement focuses on facilitating international collaboration and knowledge sharing.
NAIROBI, Kenya, 17 Feb 2009 – Today the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Microsoft Corp signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on leveraging information and communication technology (ICT) solutions to help address today's complex environmental challenges. [more]
Realizing a "Green New Deal"
Nairobi, 16 February 2009 – UNEP-Commissioned Report Underlines How Environmental investments Can get the Global and National Economies Back to Sustainable Work [Press Release]
2009 Tunza International Youth Conference on the Environment
Daejeon, Republic of Korea
21 - 26 August 2009
Theme “Climate Change: Our Challenge”
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the UNEP National Committee for the Republic of Korea will be organizing its Tunza International Youth Conference on the Environment , from 21 to 26 August 2009.
It will bring together 200 youth, to learn about the environment through plenary sessions, workshops and field trips. [more]
Steiner speech at Good Jobs Green Jobs Conference
UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner, makes keynote address at Good Jobs Green Jobs Conference in Washington, DC [Speech]
Environment Ministers from around the world to gather in Nairobi for UNEP
Governing Council
More than one hundred Environment Ministers are set to meet in Nairobi on
16 to 20 February for the United Nations Environment Programme’s annual
Governing Council meeting. [Press Release EN] [Press Release FR]
ARRI Signing Ceremony
The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative will pledge to plant 38 million trees over three years as part of UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign. The event will take place on Governor's Island, New York Thursday, December 11, 2008. [Press Release]
Migratory Species Get Conservation Boost at International Wildlife
Conference
Rome/Bonn, 5 December 2008 – The future for 21 migratory species, from the
reclusive Irrawaddy Dolphin to the Egyptian Vulture and the Cheetah, today
got brighter under a UN wildlife treaty. [Press Release EN]
Pioneering UNEP Atlas shows how investing in carbon rich ecosystems can give the double dividend of combating climate change and biodiversity loss
Poznan/Nairobi/Cambridge, 5 December 2008 – Maps pinpointing overlaps of high carbon and high biodiversity areas were launched today by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). [Press Release EN] [Press Release FR]
Governments Convene for International Wildlife Conference in Rome from 1-5
December
Rome/Bonn, 28 November 2008 – Whether they are speeding across the African
savannah or navigating brackish waters in Asia, some of the world’s most
charismatic species need an urgent boost in international protection.
[more]
UNEP Launches First Youth Network on Climate Change for North America
 Chicago, 14 November 2008 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launches today its first-ever North American Youth Network to help combat climate change. Twenty youth representatives, aged 18-22, were selected from the United States and Canada and are convening in Chicago on November 14-16, 2008 to launch UNEP’s new Kick the Carbon Habit Education Campaign. [Press Release]
2008 UNEP North American Regional Civil Society Consultation
The 2008 UNEP North American Regional Civil Society Consultation will be
held at the offices of the World Resources Institute in Washington, D.C. on
13-14 November to prepare for the 10th UNEP Global Civil Society Forum
(GCSF) and for the twenty-fifth session of the Governing Council/ Global
Ministerial Environment Forum (GC-25/GMEF) to be held in Nairobi, from
16-20 February 2009. The issues to be discussed at the consultation are
some of the main issues on the agenda for the upcoming UNEP Governing
Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum: Globalization and the
Environment—Global Crises: National Chaos?, International Environmental
Governance and United Nations Reform—IEG: Help or Hindrance?, and UNEP’s
Programme of Work 2010-2011. For more information, please visit
[website].
Sustainable Consumption Workshop
Washington, DC November 6 - 7, 2008 – The North American Multi-Stakeholder
Workshop on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Workshop was
organized to advance sustainable consumption and production in North
America by the Governments of Canada and the United States and the United
Nations Environment Program in collaboration with the United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The Report is comprised of the
Co-Chairs Summary and Workshop Report and the Appendices, including the
Agenda, the Participant List and background papers and presentations
provided at the Workshop. [Report]
Tunza International Children’s Conference on the Environment
Daejeon, Korea 17 - 21 August 2009 – Theme: "Climate Change: Our Challenge" The United Nations Environment Programme, in cooperation with UNEP National Committee for the Republic of Korea, will be hosting the 2009 Tunza International Children’s Conference on the Environment in Daejeon, Korea from the 17 to 21 August 2009. The Conference whose theme will be Climate Change: Our Challenge will bring together about 400 participants (aged 10 to 14) from over 100 countries.
The daily themes will include:Climate change and its effect on bio-diversity; Climate change and young people; Water; and sustainable lifestyle. [more]
"Global Green New Deal"- UNEP Launches Green Economy Initiative to Get the Global Market Back to Work.
London/Nairobi, 22 October 2008 -- Mobilizing and re-focusing the global economy towards investments in clean technologies and ‘natural’ infrastructure such as forests and soils is the best bet for real growth, combating climate change and triggering an employment boom in the 21st century.
The call was made today by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and leading economists as they launched the Green Economy Initiative aimed at seizing an historic opportunity to bring about tomorrow’s economy today. [more]
Children Artists Join Forces with the UN to Combat Climate Change. Paint for the Planet Exhibit and Auction Comes to New York on 23 October
New York/Nairobi, 7 October 2008 – Young artists from around the world are lending their support to global efforts to combat climate change through Paint for the Planet, an exhibit and auction of children's art in New York.
The Paint for the Planet website (www.unep.org/paint4planet) features a selection of stand-out entries from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) International Children's Painting Competition. [Press Release EN] [Press Release FR]
Ted Turner Announces First-Ever Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria at World Conservation Congress
October 6, 2008 (Barcelona, Spain) – United Nations Foundation Founder and Chairman Ted Turner joined the Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) today to announce the first-ever globally relevant sustainable tourism criteria at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. The new criteria were developed to offer a common framework to guide the emerging practice of sustainable tourism and to help businesses, consumers, governments, non-governmental organizations and education institutions to ensure that tourism helps, rather than harms, local communities and the environment. [Press Release-ENG] [Press Release FRE] [Fact Sheet]
For additional information please visit www.SustainableTourismCriteria.org
Mexico to Host World Environment Day under the Theme 'Your Planet Needs You'
Mexico City/Nairobi, September 2008 – Mexico, a country at the crossroads of the Green Economy and one increasingly in the centre of regional and global affairs, will host the international 2009 World Environment Day celebrations.
The theme chosen by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which coordinates the day on 5 June on behalf of the UN system and the peoples of the world, will be ‘Your Planet Needs You—UNite to Combat Climate Change”. [Press Release]
Top Olympic Athlete Yao Ming Becomes UNEP's First Environmental Champion
 Beijing, 9 August 2008 – Top Olympic athlete Yao Ming is the UN Environment Programme's first-ever Environmental Champion, UNEP announced today. [More] [Press Release]
United Nations Environment Programme Announces Theme of the 18th International Children’s Painting Competition: “Climate Change: Our Challenge”
 Washington DC – 18 July 2008 – The United Nations Environment Programme launched the 2008-2009 International Children’s Painting Competition today, asking children to focus on “Climate Change: Our Challenge”, see [PressRelease]
Artists from the ages of 5 to 13 will be asked to share their vision of the impact of global warming, and to portray concrete actions everyone can take to address the issue, from promoting wind and solar energy sources, to using energy saving light bulbs, sharing vehicles, using public transport, planting trees, and many other steps. We look forward to receiving all North American entries by January 15, 2009. For entry rules, see [InfoSheet].
Environmental Change Re-Draws Atlas of Africa
 Washington, DC – Africa's rapidly changing environmental landscape was presented at the Woodrow Wilson Center on Tuesday 1 July 2008 with the participation of our Executive Director, Mr. Achim Steiner.[Invitation] [Blog Article]
Johannesburg/Nairobi/London, 10 June 2008 - Africa's rapidly changing environmental landscape, from the disappearance of Glaciers in Uganda Rwenzori Mountains to the loss of Cape Town's unique 'fynbos' vegetation, was presented to the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN).
[Press Release - English] [Press Release - French]
"Kick the CO2 Habit" — UNEP Says It May Be Easier Than You Think
 World Environment Day 2008 Guides the Global Public Towards Climate Neutrality
Wellington/Nairobi, 6 June 2008 -- People in the developed world, as well as some rapidly developing countries and cities -- from Manchester and Manhattan to Moscow and Mumbai -- can start right away to "Kick the CO2 Habit", the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) says.
[Press Release - English] [Press Release - French]
How to Lower Your Carbon Emissions [More]
Nature’s 100 Best Initiative Publishes Preliminary Findings on How to Green the Global Economy
Ninth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity 19-30 May
28 May 2008, Bonn/Geneva/Nairobi – A super-small pacemaker modeled on the wiring of the humpback whale’s heart and pigment-free colour coatings from the light-splitting structures of a peacock’s feather are among a range of extraordinary new eco-breakthroughs emerging from mimicking nature.
[Press Release - English] [Press Release - French] [Press Release - Spanish]
 Environmental Education
RONA is pleased to launch its new environmental education website. This is a useful resource for obtaining information on the relevant environmental issues of the day.
For more information, please click here
‘Sustaining Life’ Identifies Huge Losses to Medical Science from the Decline and
Extinction of the World’s Nature-Based Assets
Singapore/Nairobi, 24 April – A new generation of antibiotics, new treatments for thinning bone disease and kidney failure, and new cancer treatments may all stand to be lost unless the world acts to reverse the present alarming rate of biodiversity loss a new landmark book says.
[Press Release - English] [Press Release - French]
UNEP has selected the Chicago Botanic Garden as the North American host for "World Environment Day 2008"
TWO LOCAL STUDENTS NAMED "CHICAGO'S BEST" IN INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S PAINTING COMPETITION BY UNEP AND BAYER ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
CHICAGO, June 5, 2008 – Thirteen-year old Andrew Velizarow Simeonovski, a fith-grader at Chase Elementary School, and seve-year old Patrick Lambe, a first-grader from St. Monica's Academy, were named the two local winners of the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) 17th annual International Children's Painting Competition (ICPC) in North America for their artwork on the theme, "Climate Change: Actions We Can Take Now." [Press Release]
The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is CO2 Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. At the Chicago Botanic Garden and at venues around the world, events will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and lifestyles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption. For more information on the North American festivities at the Chicago Botanic Garden, please consult: www.chicagobotanic.org/calendar/environment.
Details on the international celebration can be found at: http://www.unep.org/wed/2008/english/
UNEP to Participate in US Botanic Garden Exhibition: "One Planet - Ours! Sustainability for the 22nd Century"
 This year the United States Botanic Garden's popular summer exhibition will focus on sustainability with the exhibition "One Planet - Ours! Sustainability for the 22nd Century", featuring exhibits from organizations who are leading efforts toward sustainable lifestyles. UNEP offers a dramatic before and after peek at the World's landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes over the past 30 years, through spectacular NASA satellite photos from UNEP's publication "One Planet Many People." Exhibition opens on May 24 and will remain on display through October 13, 2008. For more information, please visit www.usbg.gov
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