United Nations Radio

Fix that leaky faucet, don't drive if you can walk, and stop using plastic bags.

Nigel Barker

These are a few tips from experts in a bid to get people to stop destroying the environment. On World Environment Day-observed June 5- the UN Environment Programme is saying to the world, Your Planet Needs You. Jocelyne Sambira has the story.

NARR: In recognition of World Environment Day 2009, international photographers Nigel Barker of America's Next Top Model, and Luo Hong, Founder of the Luo Hong Foundation in China have put together this photo exhibition entitled 'Shared Destiny: Wildlife from Africa to the Arctic.' This exhibition is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme. I am Jocelyne Sambira Sambira reporting live from the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

FALT: By capturing the beauty and biological beauty diversity of our planet in peril, 'Shared Destiny: Wildlife from Africa to the Arctic' is, we hope, both a celebration of wild animals in their breathtaking natural habitats and a plea to protect and cherish plants and animals through a series of stunning photographs. This exhibition contrasts the resilience of the animals with their fragile existence and underscores the global scale of biodiversity loss. The exhibition hopes to convey a sense of hope in our ability to ultimately live in harmony with other living beings and respect their environment.

SFX: Applause

NARR: I am with photographer Luo Hong, he is going to show me one of his favorite photos. Can you tell us where this picture was taken?

LUO HONG: (Chinese with English translation) Kenya Emboseli Park.

NARR: What is it that he wants us to understand?

LUO HONG: The elephants, they look very happy. As the global warming is occurring, snow on the mountain of Kilimanjaro is getting smaller and smaller and in the future you might never be snow on the top of it anymore. If we don't start taking action, this might be the last memories of seeing this beautiful scene.

CASTANO: Juanita Castano, Director of the UNEP office in New York.

NARR: We are here today because of World Environment Day, and the theme for this year is 'Your Planet Needs You.' Could you tell us briefly for our listeners what do you mean by this message?

CASTANO: We only have one world and this world is finite. It is not infinite. Every year we are more and more people. So we have to leave something to our children and grandchildren. If we continue to consume the way we are doing, in a few years, we are going to exhaust the natural resources that we have available.

PRES: That report was by Jocelyne Sambira.

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