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The UN & CBD support The Green Wave
The Convention on Biological Diversity is a United Nations supported international treaty amongst 191 countries and the European Community. The objectives of the CBD are to promote the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of the components of biodiversity and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
The Green Wave is an international project for children and youth aimed to help educate and raise awareness on biodiversity. It enables and encourages young people to learn about biodiversity, engage in local action, build friendship and partnership around the world, and gain international recognition.
The Green Wave supports the aims of the UN backed Convention on Biological Diversity on communication, education and public awareness. Each year, The Green Wave contributes to the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity — the 22 May.
On that day, in schools and clubs around the world, children and youth are invited to plant a tree at 10:00 a.m. local time, creating a "green wave" across the time-zones. Participants upload photos and text to The Green Wave website to share stories of their planning and planting and in the evening an interactive map goes live at 20:10 local time, creating a second "green wave." The Green Wave promotes thoughtful planting and long-term care. In some parts of the world, seasonal conditions are not suitable to plant on 22 May. In these areas participants plant in an appropriate season and water their chosen tree at 10:00 a.m. on 22 May.
The Green Wave will also contribute to celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010. And it contributes to the Billion Tree Campaign led by the United Nations Environment Programme.
Since its launch on May 22, 2008 when over 60 student groups in 19 countries participated, the project has grown and interest has been gained from countries in all regions — including countries of South and Central America, North America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. In several countries, the project is being used by local partners to involve young people in other relevant initiatives — including urban greening in Curitiba, Brazil and woodland management in Nagoya, Japan, watershed management in Algeria, and coastal protection in Mauritius.
Through action-oriented learning, The Green Wave teaches children and youth the importance of biodiversity for our well-being and that of our planet. The Green Wave supports schools around the world to educate tomorrow's leaders on the crucial tasks of protecting Earth's biodiversity and halting its loss.
For more information and to learn how to become a part of The Green Wave, visit the project website.
