Indonesian Ministry Launches Environmental Campaign For Youths

Antara 5 Jun 10;

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta officially launched a national environment conservation campaign for youths dubbed "Action Movement for the Environment" or "GAUL".

The event at the Jakarta Convention Center in Senayan here Saturday, was part of an Indonesian Environment Week 2010, and coincided with World Environment Day observed every June 5.

"As stated by the Vice President (Boediono) at the opening of the Indonesian Environment Week 2010, it is now time for action, and no longer just talk. So, do whatever you can," Hatta said.

GAUL is targeting young people aged between 15 and 35 years old who number about 85 million in Indonesia, according to Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) data.

The campaign encourages young people to apply the "3R" (recycle, reuse, and reduce) formula in managing waste, to plant trees, check their vehicles` gas emissions, and use bicycles whenever possible.

Singer Charlie of the ST12 band who was named a GAUL envoy lustered up the event with a number of songs.

Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta went to the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) from his official residence at Widya Candra Kuningan by riding a bicycle, accompanied among others by South Jakarta Mayor Syahrul Effendi, Central Jakarta Mayor Sylviana Murni, and members as well as chairman of the "Bike To Work` Community Toto Sugito.

World Environment Day (WED) is a day dedicated to the environment and meant to promore awareness of the environment, greater political attention and public action for conservation of the environment.

June 5 is also the day the first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment opened in 19725-16 June 1972. It was formalized by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972.

The first World Environment Day was observed in 1973. World Environment Day is hosted every year by a different city with a different theme and is commemorated with an international exposition opening on June 5.