Plastic Bags: The Wonders of Nature... NOT!

I love sarcasm, and probably use it way too much to communicate my ideas sometimes, so it's no surprise that I loved 'The Majestic Plastic Bag'. I came across this 'mockumentary' this morning and thought it was a great way to shed light on the evilness that is a plastic bag. The video is part of the California Plastic Bag Ban and was made by Heal the Bay to highlight the alarming reality of the plastic bag pollution situation in California. Check it out:

Also, if you are in Jordan, then you need to get involved in the UNESCO "Balash Kees بلاش كيس" campaign which aims to:

Reduce the use of plastic bags by major supermarkets in Jordan and change consumer behaviour.

This can be achieved by:

 - Increasing awareness of the public on the negative environmental impact of plastic bags in Jordan.

- Promotion of environmental-friendly alternatives.

Help add your voice to the "Balash Kees" campaign and urge supermarkets and shoppers in Jordan to put an end to plastic bags once and for all!
For more info, take a look at the campaign's Facebook page here and find out what you can do to help spread their message. 


Anoud x

UN-HABITAT - I'm a City Changer!

Today was the start of the UN-HABITAT's 6th World Urban Forum (WUF), the world's first multilateral conference exploring urban issues, so I thought this post is appropriate. FYI: Established by the United Nations, WUF examines the impact of rapid urbanisation on the world's communities. The UN, along with the conference's participants, aim to find ways to achieve environmentally-friendly and sustainable urban growth and development through this yearly meeting. The WUF also attempts to improve to eradicate urban slums and improve the conditions of poverty-stricken city dwellers through improving their access to basic facilities.

So, in honour of UN-HABITAT's effort, whom I had the amazing opportunity to intern with this summer, I thought I'd shed light on their amazing campaign: I'm a City Changer. I'm a City Changer is a worldwide campaign that seeks to raise awareness among citizens on urban issues in hopes of achieving better cities. Through sharing and spreading individual, corporate and public initiatives that improve our cities, I'm a City Changer is a global movement.

The campaign works to achieve sustainable urban development in cities worldwide through six key components. These main components are:
1. A Resilient City
2. A Green City
3. A Safe and Healthy City
4. An Inclusive City
5. A Planned City
6. A Productive City

Find out more about each component here.

Through the campaign's website, you are able to read and view stories from all around the world about initiatives undertaken by individuals and corporations that aim improve their own city. Click to read about the various city-enhancing initiatives here, and of course don't forget that you yourself can share your own story as well! You can find out more on how to do that here.

How great is this campaign? And how cute is the video? Love it!

Be sure to like UN-HABITAT on Facebook to keep up to date with their latest news and events and follow them on Twitter while you're at it!


Anoud x

17 Year Old Brittany Trilford's Speech at Rio+20

Three days ago, on June 20th, 2012 Brittany Trilford, a 17 year old from New Zealand, addressed world leaders at the opening plenary of the Rio+20 UN Earth Summit, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Watch her speech below, which very reminiscent of Severn Suzuki's 1992 address to the UN. 

Kudos to Brittany; GREAT speech!

Anoud x

Looking for a film to watch?

It's that time of the year in England when students all over the country are stressing over exams and worrying about revision. I am one who also worries a lot and gets bored SO very easily during this period. What's ironic is that despite having so much to read, I continue to distract myself and eventually end up sitting on my laptop downloading some movie or tv show to watch. Very frustrating how easily distracted I get, especially when I have things to do, but oh well, c'est la vie! Thankfully, I'm a last minute type of person most of the time, so I always end up managing in the end. SO, the point is, yesterday I ran out of things to watch until I remembered Of Forests and Men. I already watched it last year, but hey 7 minutes of Edward Norton's voice with Bertrand's breathtaking aerial photography, who could resist?

Now, if you haven't seen this last year, then I recommend you watch it now. The film is produced by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, who was appointed by the United Nations for the production of this film for the International Year of Forests, which was last year 2011. Again, the film is narrated by none other than the amazing Mr. Edward Norton. I love this collaboration so much; both Bertrand and Ed Norton are my favourites as you can tell by past GE Favourite Green Person of the Week posts!

So play the film below and look back at why the importance of forests was highlighted last year and how we need to continue to pay attention to maintaining and conserving the world's precious forests for the valuable and diverse resources that they provide us with.

Anoud x

The United Nations' '7 Billion Actions' Initiative

As the global population is expected to reach 7 billion by October, the United Nations launched today the '7 Billion Actions' initiative. This global initiative is aimed at bringing together all individuals, governments, businesses and the media in order to confront and address the challenges that this milestone will bring about, while also recognising the many opportunities it presents and that we must seize.

At the launch ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon told a panel discussion that “we are not here simply to acknowledge that milestone. We are here to address all of its vast implications.” He also went on to explain that “the seven billionth citizen will be born into a world of contradictions. We have plenty of food yet millions are still starving. We see luxurious lifestyles yet millions are impoverished. We have great opportunities for progress but also great obstacles.”

Watch the video below for more information on the UN's '7 Billion Actions':

Anoud x

World Habitat Day 2011: Cities and Climate Change

October 3rd 2011: mark the date in your calendars, note it down in your planners or set a reminder on your mobile phone, for that’s the day we celebrate World Habitat Day this year, as designated by the United Nations.

 

 

The purpose behind World Habitat Day is for us to reflect on the condition of our cities and to recognise the importance of an adequate shelter for all as a basic human right. It is also meant to remind us all of our collective responsibility towards the future of the human habitat. 

This year’s theme is Cities and Climate Change, and the Global Celebration will be hosted by the Government of Mexico. The theme was chosen because of the great threat that climate change is posing on 21^st century development. In addition, the greatest impacts of disasters that occur as a result of climate change begin and end in cities, with the majority of humanity now living in urban areas.  That is why, it is very important to recognise the importance of cities and their strong influence on climate change. 

 

Here’s how you can get involved in the 2011 WHD:

• Raise awareness in your city and organize a World Habitat Day event. All the information you need is found here.
• Read the World Habitat Day brochure and familiarise yourself with the importance of WHD and this year’s theme. Take a look here.
• Participate in a WHD event in your country. Check out the list here.
• Take part in the World Habitat Day Photo & Film Competition. Find out more more here.
• Spread the word. Tweet it, post it on Facebook, blog about it and share it. Let the world know, show them you care!

Anoud x

Saving Our Precious Forests

HAPPY WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY!

Watch the video below to learn about the importance of forests and how integral it is for leaders to take a stand and make brave decisions to preserve global forests.




Anoud x

UNEP World Environment Day 2011 Challenge

Gisele Bündchen and Don Cheadle are battling it out to see who will rally the most people to help them build a new forest for the United Nations Enviroment Programme's World Environment Day on June 5, 2011.

Watch the video below for more details on the challenge and how you can take part in this and support either team Gisele or team Don. P.S: Gisele has pledged to plant a tree for every activity registered in her name, while Don Cheadle has pledged to plant two in hopes of gathering more supporters! 





For more info and for registering your name enter here.

So, which team will you be on??

xoxo,
Anoud

Image: unep.org/wed/challenge/

Lazy Sunday Video Post

Mayor Bloomberg explaining how to achieve sustainability in an urban environment like New York:

How climate change is affecting the Pacific island of Kirabati:

UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors Drogba and Zidane on achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals:

Hope everyone is having a more productive day than my Sunday,


Anoud x

'The Girl Who Silenced the UN for 5 Minutes'

Severn Suzuki's address to the UN back in 1992. Just watch... Amazing!




Green Eve xx