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 - - - - - SUMMARY - - - - - ¶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. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - AMBASSADOR CELEBRATES EARTH DAY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶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. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - EMBASSY OFFICERS SPEAK TO GLOBE SCHOOLS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶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. - - - - - - - - - - - - GLOBE 10th ANNIVERSARY - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶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. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SPREADING THE MESSAGE WIDER - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶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