2007 Chennai Press Releases

U.S. Consulate General Observes World Environment Day 2007

Chennai, June 4, 2007:  On the occasion of World Environment Day 2007, the U.S. Consulate General – Chennai has organized several events.  The first is a tree planting and beautification program on June 5, 2007 at 5:15 p.m. at Anjuman-e-Himayath-e-Islam, No. 16 B.N. Reddy Road, T. Nagar Chennai.  Ms. Ragini Gupta, Consul for Cultural Affairs, will join the students of Anjuman to build a new garden in front of their playground.

On June 13, 2007, the U.S. Consulate General - Chennai will screen former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore’s Oscar-winning documentary film on climate change, “An Inconvenient Truth” at the Consulate from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  This screening is co-sponsored by Kolkata-based NGO Centre for Social Markets and will be followed by a panel discussion on the film with Mr. A.R. Nambi of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Professor Mohan Munasinghe, Chairman of Munasinghe Institute for Development and Ms. Ragini Gupta, Consul for Cultural Affairs.

On June 15, 2007, The U.S. Consulate General - Chennai and wildlife filmmaker Shekar Dattatri will celebrate World Environment Day with the students of Union Christian School at 10.30 a.m. on No.33, Nowroji Road, Chetpet, Chennai 600 031.  Two short films, “Point Calimere” and “Mindless Mining” will be screened to the students followed by an interactive discussion.  Ms. Ragini Gupta, Consul for Cultural Affairs will join in the discussion.

Reaching out to young people to educate and get them involved in preserving their environment is a key component of the U.S. Consulate General’s programs.  The U.S. Consulate General’s World Environment Day initiatives reflect the U.S. government’s commitment to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.  President George W. Bush reiterated this commitment during his May 31 announcement of U.S. support for a global framework on climate change.   Under President Bush’s proposal, the U.S. will convene the major greenhouse gas emitters and energy consumers by the end of 2008.  The goal is to develop a global plan that addresses climate change in a way that enhances energy security, promotes economic growth and accelerates the development and deployment of clean energy technologies.

World Environment Day is commemorated to increase worldwide awareness of environment issues and to help motivate both individual and political action.  This year’s theme focuses on the effects of climate change.  World Environment Day celebrations give a human face to environmental issues and empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development.  Additional information is available at: http://www.unep.org/wed/2007/english/About_WED_2007/index.asp.

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