UN Day 97
Chestnut Hill College
October 24,1997

First Annual Event

Reported by: Marie Tramontina, Chestnut Hill College


Lead question--What has been happening to better protect our planet from environmental hazards since the Earth Summit in 1992?

GEM organized, and Chestnut Hill College of Philadelphia, Pa., hosted, a youth conference called "The United Nations and You - Environmental Challenges: Earth Summit +5."

Two distinguished guests--David Pines, Executive Director of Foundation for the Future of Youth, and Pierre Quiblier of the UN Environmental Program, spoke and answered questions on environmental issues that brought the world to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the 1992 Earth Summit. Students gathered in 9 small discussion groups and came up with environmental action plans they could implement.


200+ Students of the Environment

160 students from 12 Philadelphia area high schools attended the conference including Bok Technical High School, Central Bucks East High School, Cheltenham High School, Freedom High School, Germantown Academy, Girls High School, Northampton High School, Ridley High School, St. Joseph's Preparatory School, Springfield High School, Springside School, University City High School, as well as 50 students from Chestnut Hill College.


A Welcome, a Flag, and a Vision

The morning began with a warm welcome address from Dr. Sara Kitchen Benn, Chair of the Division of Social Sciences at Chestnut Hill College. Next, Wayne Jacoby, President of Global Education Motivators (GEM), set the tone of the day with two main ideas: the UN, through UNEP (UN Environmental Program), is working to help nations solve their environmental problems and students can help by staying well informed and getting involved. After Dr. Caroline Golab, Dean of Chestnut Hill College, accepted GEM's gift to the college of a UN flag, she read a letter from Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell proclaiming October 24, 1997 UN Day in Philadelphia.

Then David Pines of the Foundation for the Future of Youth spoke. (The Foundation for the Future of Youth, based in Rockville, MD., organizes student environmental action groups worldwide). Mr. Pines discussed sustainable development (meeting the needs of the present generation without damaging the Earth's resources so future generations can also meet their needs) and destruction of the rainforest (I square mile every 6 minutes). To Mr. Pines, young people of today are tomorrow's leaders. By keeping students informed and involved environmentally, we are securing our planet's future. He stated, "It is an act of vision to be committed to youth."


Keynote Speaker Sees UNEP as "Planet Doctor"

Pierre Quiblier of UNEP, the UN Environmental Program, was the final speaker of the morning. He explained how UNEP was created in 1972, how it works, and what it's been doing since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. Working with concerned governments, UNEP acts like a "planet doctor", examining environmental problems, using the latest technology to help decide on a "cure," and healing conflicts between nations through negotiations.

Mr. Quiblier said there's still much work to be done; Rio was only the beginning. Developed nations must work together with their Third World neighbors. By sharing ideas and technology, the entire world can reach sustainable development. Communicating this message- save the earth and still develop economically- to the youth of the world is part of UNEP's plan, and Mr. Quiblier considers it a very important one, " We cannot be isolated from the environment."


Small Group Discussions

Speeches over, the students got to work joining one of 9 discussion groups to come up with an action plan. The groups were led either by Chestnut Hill College teachers, Chestnut Hill College environmental science majors, or staff from Global Education Motivators. The 9 environmental issues discussed and the students' action plans follow:

Environmental Issue	Student Action Plan
1. Climate Change	At School install recycling bins organize car pools to and from school install climate controls in buildings start an environmental newsletter have an assembly like UN Day make Environmental Science a required course submit environmental articles to community newspapers organize an environmental club make a.m. environmental announcements on school TV station or loudspeakers In the Community plan an Earth Day celebration plant trees install recycling bins organize area cleanups distribute green ribbons to wear, like red "Aids Awareness" ribbons install billboards that educate the public on environmental issues
2. Ozone Depletion	At School start an environmental club use paper cups instead of Styrofoam in cafeteria In the Community pressure politicians to be earth-friendly by starting at the ground up-at school board level inform public about Green Party (pro-environment political party)
3. Acid Rain	At School organize an Earth Day Celebration and invite the community In the Community drive less; walk, bike, or take public transportation more often improve quality of coal burned encourage education for careers which do research into alternative energy sources (solar, geothermal, hydroelectric) support companies using alternative technology alert politicians to environmental issues boycott polluting companies recycle scrap iron
4. Hazardous Wastes and Chemicals	At School recycling bins with corresponding openings to enforce separation of glass, plastic, cans, paper make presentations to each class, so they can go home and discuss with others In the Community educate public of environmental laws distribute tel. #s of recycling centers to public establish more community drop-off point for recycling
5. Biodiversity	At School partner up with local elementary school and plant butterfly/hummingbird gardens install bat boxes teach kids bugs are good! In the Community organize Earth Day with work projects like creating a pond
6. Fish and Marine Resources	At School teach environmental issues In the Community organize river cleanups government should provide farmers with environmentally-friendly pesticides stop over-fishing; target corporations that do and publicly expose them
7. Marine Pollution	In the Community tax gas fine companies that pollute water UN should support and institute clean water programs establish an environmental "peace corps" that would educate the public
8. Forests	At School plant trees in schoolyards organize an environmental club In the Community educate the public through local and national TV "commercials" and billboards plant fast-growing plants use alternative wood products in construction
9. Perspectives on the Future	Individually know what's going on as consumers write your congressman join environmental groups work to improve recycling programs initiate government bills that will help environment car pooling use alternative fuels pressure car manufacturer to build more efficient cars educate public to "think globally, act locally" Globally set aside wetlands for protection environmental groups build communication system between other groups look at society that allows pollution, poverty, war, overpopulation, uneducated public

Sandslide

Closing Remarks were by Dr. Grace Banks, Chair of the Division of Natural Sciences at Chestnut Hill College. Dr. Banks compared the students as a whole to a sandpile. She described how one act, like a grain of sand rolling down the pile, would start a sandslide of more acts. "It might be your act," Dr. Banks said.

Who knows? Maybe the next time you teach a 5 year old not to step on a daddy long legs or start a petition to establish a recycling center in your neighborhood, you'll be starting a sandslide.