News Release May 27, 2003

June 1-8 is National Environmental Awareness Week

National Environmental Awareness Week will be observed in Jamaica from June 1-8 under the theme, “Water: Two Billion People Are Dying For It.” The week coincides with World Environment Day, June 5 and World Oceans Day, June, 8 celebrated annually by United Nations member countries.

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and other public and private sector organizations are spearheading activities to mark the week aimed at focusing public attention and sensitizing the Jamaican populace on environmental issues.

The week begins with a Church Service at the Boulevard Baptist Church, Washington Boulevard on Sunday June 1, starting at 9:00 a.m. Organized by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the church service incorporates the launch of Disaster Preparedness Month, (June) and National Environmental Awareness Week (June 1-8). The 1st of June marks the beginning of the hurricane season which ends on November 30.

On Monday June 2, environmental displays will be mounted at parish libraries across the island. Displays will remain open for public viewing throughout the week. A special Media Briefing and presentation function will take place at the Alhambra Inn, 1 Tucker Avenue, Kingston 6 starting at 10:00 a.m. The official launch of a website for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) forms part of this event.

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) will host a media briefing at its office located at 61 Half Way Tree Road on Tuesday June 3, starting at 9:00 a.m. This will be followed by a field trip to the Duhaney River Bridge which will be officially opened on that day. In Ocho Rios, Friends of the Sea will host an Environmental Exposition at the Island Village Shopping Centre starting at 10:00 a.m. Several organizations including NEPA, the Forestry Department, Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCO) will mount displays at this event.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will hold a press conference at their office, 12 Camp Road, Kingston 4 on Wednesday June 4 starting at 10:00 a.m. A newspaper supplement, organized by ODPEM will be published in the Gleaner. The National Environmental Societies Trust (NEST) will convene a public forum focusing on the theme “People, land, rivers, wetlands and watersheds: fostering sustainable water resource use and management”. This will take place at the Liguenea Club, Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5 starting at 3:00 p.m.

World Environment Day, June 5 highlights several activities including the official launch of a new public education campaign entitled “It Haffi Legal” scheduled to take place at Emancipation Park, New Kingston starting at 10:00 a.m. An environmental fair featuring interactive displays mounted by NEPA, National Water Commission, Water Resources Authority, National Solid Waste Management Authority, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Environment Health Unit, NEST, Institute of Jamaica will be an added attraction for the general public. An outside broadcast will also be incorporated in the day’s activities. In addition, a message for World Environment Day from the Minister of Land and the Environment Hon. Dean Peart will be published in the print and electronic media. The Gleaner will publish a special newspaper supplement co-ordinated jointly by NEPA and the Forestry Department.

At Kildare in Portland, the Gideon Educational Centre will stage an Environmental Awareness Day featuring essay competitions, most environmentally aware student competition and a poster competition. This event gets underway at 9:30 a.m. In Westmoreland, the Negril Chamber of Commerce in association with the Negril Environmental Protection Trust and the Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society has planned a mini-expo to be staged at the Negril Recycling Centre, White Hall, Negril from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For the first time, the National Solid Waste Management Authority will observe June 6 as National Solid Waste Management Day. As a follow-up to last year’s story-telling debut, Saturday June 7 will be devoted to story-telling in selected Children’s Homes and other institutions.

The week culminates with a church service at the Truth Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church, Cumberland Boulevard, Portmore on World Oceans Day, Sunday June 8, starting at 11:00 a.m.

NEPA is urging the general public to support activities to mark the week. WE WELCOME YOUR PARTICIPATION.