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Young people call on world leaders to keep Promise of a Healthy Planet 23 May 2011 | Press release As a part of Selfridges’ Project Ocean, ClientEarth and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) are launching a project to help young people forge a contract with political leaders to protect the planet and its oceans for future generations. The Declaration of Young People’s Rights to a Healthy Planet will be launched on Tuesday 24 May in Selfridges’ Ultralounge, at the first Promise of a Healthy Planet event: Promise of a Healthy Ocean. 100 young people aged between 11 and 25, drawn from schools and youth groups, will gather in the store to explain why they support the Declaration, which will be presented to world leaders at the Rio de Janeiro Earth summit in 2012. The young people will be given an opportunity to talk about their fears and demands for the future, and about some of the failures to protect the oceans so far. The event will conclude with a march through Selfridges, with placards made by the young people in response to the evening’s discussions. The event will be the first step in a campaign seeking support from young people across the globe. Many government commitments to protect plants, animals and ecosystems have already been made. Last year, in Nagoya, leaders made many new promises including that by 2020 all fish would be caught sustainably, that at least 10 per cent of oceans would be designated as marine protected areas, and that pollution would be reduced to safe levels. However history and experience has shown, governments make these commitments but rarely deliver on them. A contract with young people internationally will put more pressure on world leaders to live up to their promises. James Thornton, Chief Executive of ClientEarth, said: “Broken promises now mean a broken planet later. The people who will feel this most keenly are those who will live in the decades to come, who will suffer or benefit from decisions made by leaders now. We are ready to listen to young people’s concerns and to support them in taking action for their future. We hope this campaign will make governments sit up and listen too.” ENDS The Promise of a Healthy Ocean event will take place between 18:00 and 19:00 on 24 May 2011. For updates, join the Promise of a Healthy Planet community Contact Mike Haines | Communications officer | ClientEarth t. +44 (0) 207 749 5978 | m. +44 (0) 7841 918 770 | e. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Victoria Picknell | Press officer | ZSL t. 020 7449 6361 | e. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ClientEarth ClientEarth is an environmental law organisation working in the public interest. Based in Europe and operating globally, we address issues including deforestation, energy efficiency, biodiversity protection, and the transparency and enforcement of environmental law. www.clientearth.org Zoological Society of London Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research at the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in more than 80 countries worldwide. For further information please visit www.zsl.org |
