Filipinos urged to take local action to help Clean Up the World

2010 is International Year of Biodiversity and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon summed up its importance by declaring that “Biodiversity is life. Biodiversity is our life”.

Mr. Roald R. Arcangel, Founder and Chairman of Clean Up the Philippines Movement, Inc., today urged Filipinos to unite with communities around the world to help maintain the vital diversity of plant and animal species.

Clean Up the Philippines urgently needs volunteers to organize their own clean up drive or other environmental activity as part of our involvement with the Clean Up the World campaign. The world depends on the survival of these millions of other plant and animal species for our food, fuel, health and enjoyment. To protect and promote biodiversity we need to act now.

“More than ever, our country needs the help of volunteers to improve our local area and be an important part of a global movement working to protect the environment for future generations. By uniting as a local community our collective efforts can - and do - make a difference and together with those of communities around the globe the benefits are even greater.

“Proper disposal of garbage continues to be of great concern to the community. We aim to help clean-up the Philippines” he continued.

The nationwide volunteer clean-up drive dubbed as “Clean Up the Philippines Day” which will be held this year on September 18, 2010 is generously supported by the Australian Embassy in Manila and other local organizations and institutions.

Clean Up the Philippines Day will form part of Clean Up the World, a year-round community-led environmental campaign that takes place in local communities involving an estimated 35 million volunteers from 120 countries each year.

Volunteers can register their activities at www.cleanupthephilippines.net.

Clean Up the World originated in Sydney, Australia in 1993 and is held in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The campaign brings together non-government organizations, community groups, schools, governments, businesses and individuals to undertake activities to improve water quality, clean up local streets, parks, waterways and forests and educate children about the environment.

For more information on Clean Up the World; visit: www.cleanuptheworld.org or activities.cleanuptheworld.org phone: +61 2 8197 3420 email: info@cleanuptheworld.org
Clean Up the Philippines Movement, Inc. is a Member of Clean Up the World. For more information on this initiative visit www.cleanupthephilippines.net or email cleanupthephilippines@yahoo.com.