EMBASSY WARSAW CELEBRATES EARTH DAY

UNCLAS WARSAW 000982

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE, EUR/ERA, EUR/PGI, OES/GC, OES/STC,
OES/ENV, OES/PCI, G, EB/ESC, EUR/PPD
EUR/NCE FOR DKOSTELANCIK, BPUTNEY
WHITE HOUSE FOR CEQ DAVE BANKS
DOE FOR LEKIMOFF, MGINSBERG, GKERESTES
EPA FOR APHILLIPS, KBUCKLEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON SENV PL
SUBJECT: EMBASSY WARSAW CELEBRATES EARTH DAY


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SUMMARY
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1. In celebration of Earth Day and the 10th anniversary of
the GLOBE program in Poland, the Ambassador and other Embassy
officers participated in a variety of events promoting
increased protection of the environment. The GLOBE program
(Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment)
celebrated its 10th anniversary in Poland on April 22, 2007,
Earth Day. GLOBE schools across Poland held special Earth
Day events to coincide with the anniversary.

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AMBASSADOR CELEBRATES EARTH DAY
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2. Ambassador Ashe visited the most active GLOBE school in
Warsaw to participate in Earth Day activities on April 17.
Students involved in the GLOBE program gave a presentation on
their GLOBE activities, while others discussed Earth Day in
particular. The Ambassador handed out prizes to students who
won a poster competition held at the school. Students,
teachers, and local authorities were honored to show
Ambassador Ashe how enthusiastic they were in environmental
projects through the GLOBE program.

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EMBASSY OFFICERS SPEAK TO GLOBE SCHOOLS
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3. Econoff and Econ Specialist visited another engaged GLOBE
school in Przysucha, about 130 km southwest of Warsaw, on
April 18. The event was marked by the presence of local
authorities who support the GLOBE program. Following a
series of presentations, students and guests planted a tree
and took a tour of the school's meteorological garden. In
the garden students demonstrated how they take measurements
for the GLOBE program, including minimum and maximum
temperatures as well as precipitation.


4. Cultural Affairs Officer and Cultural Affairs Specialist
attended a local Earth Day celebration in Nidzica, about 100
km northeast of Warsaw, on April 20 and gave a presentation
on the GLOBE program and protecting the environment. Local
students and officials in Nidzica entertained guests with
song and dance. American Citizen Services Officer also
attended an event in Lublin and spoke about climate change to
high school students.


5. Econoff and Econ Specialist also spoke at a conference of
the directors of the schools involved in the GLOBE program,
congratulating them on their work in inspiring students
through GLOBE. Econoff noted how valuable the GLOBE program
can be to teach students to enjoy science and use it to
protect the environment. Also, through the GLOBE program,
students have contact with more than 19,000 schools in over
100 countries and can connect and share with them through
this program.

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GLOBE 10th ANNIVERSARY
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6. Following the school directors' conference, Ambassador
Ashe hosted the directors at his residence for a reception on
April 20 to celebrate GLOBE's 10th anniversary in Poland. In
attendance were also members of the Ministry of Environment,
Ministry of Education, and the National Fund for
Environmental Protection who help finance the program in
Poland.

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SPREADING THE MESSAGE WIDER
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7. The involvement of the Ambassador and various Embassy
Officers in Earth Day activities in partnership with the
GLOBE program demonstrated strong Embassy support for the
program and strengthened dialogue on environmental issues.
Additionally, these events provided a chance for Embassy
Officers to engage with more local authorities on the issues
of climate change -- an important issue in our discussions
with national government officials.
ASHE