Volvo Adventure Conference 2006 Göteborg – Sweden

Change the PresentTo Change the Future

To develop a sustainable society we need creative minds that are able to challenge and think outside the ordinary boundaries. On May 15, 2006, participants in the global Volvo Adventure conference gathered in Göteborg to present their projects and to learn about environmental issues from other parts of the world They were young people from all over the world, with different backgrounds and beliefs, but with one common interest of improving our environment. This publication is the compilation of their environmental projects and an appeal to today’s leaders of the world.Their environmental projects have already made a local difference. The results can now inspire people all over the world and the work will then have a global impact, according to the fundamental principle: think global and act local.

Lets work together towards a sustainable future!Statements and inspiration from the leaders of tomorrow.

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Lets work together towards a sustainable future!Statements and inspiration from the leaders of tomorrow.

For me it is very satisfying to read the statements and ideas. With such enthusiasm, knowledge and inspiration, I feel confident that the next generation of leaders and decision makers will continue to create and develop solutions for a sustainable future.Let’s get inspired by the young people’s projects and help them to fulfill their great ideas for a greener future.

Best regards,

Fredrik ArpPresident and CEO, Volvo Car Corporation

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Table of Content■ List of participants 5

■ introduction 6

■ positive news 7

■ negative news 10

■ potentiaL positive news 14

■ project summaries 22

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These are the writings from some young people who have found the light. We are the participants of Volvo Adventure 2006 and we have attempted to change the perspective of humankind to environmental problems and make a difference by creating sustainable projects. Here you will see our ideas and advice on solutions to the problems we have observed in different parts of the world. Educational programmes which are raising awareness amongst new generations and the decision makers of the future are becoming more widespread within communities from all corners of the world. However, we have just started in this vital campaign and we still have a long journey ahead of us to reduce the affects of industrialisation and make our planet a better place to live.

Be like us: think about the issue, think why it is important, think what you can do, and think what happens to the planet if more and more of us do these simple things.

Now we want you to read what we think we should all be doing to help our Earth.

Introduction

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KullaviKssKolanstudent Hosts:

aho, elinandersson, caroline andrup, stina Berg, emma Bexell, marcus Blommaskog, erik canbäck, rasmus claesson Laakso, emma enegren, carl-johan fransson, therese granstand, christofer Heitmann, emelie Holzner, robin ivarsson, rickard Ljungstrand, sofia sparredal, robin stensson, malin stråberg, andrea ternström, jonas ullman, caroline

Juryandersson, Bengt environmental education expert

Book, eeva-Liisa volvo car corporation

Horkeby, inge aB volvo

oben, theodore unep (chairman of the jury)

persson, siw wwf

organizer,volvo Hagström, Linda aB volvo

Hugestrand, Kikki volvo car corporation

jensäter, Lisa volvo car corporation

persson, malin volvo car corporation

svedberg, sara volvo car corporation

talbot, wayne wta education services Ltd

walter-Lundin, Lena volvo car corporation

Japan Koike, airi studentKusama, junichirou studentKusama, Yukiko studentYazawa, miki studentYazawa, Yuka studentKusama, rieko LeaderKusama, Yasuharu Leader

mexicoescobedo López, denisse alejandra studentmartínez sánchez, armando studentsalas Betancourt, alfredo studentvidal ayala, esbeidy mariely studentZúñiga ortíz, axinia navera studentBecerra monroy, cristian Leadergarcía orozco, victor Hugo Leader

turKey akış, ahmed Kutalmış studentayaz, enes studentÖktem, apler studentÖztüre, Kıvanç studentBaltalı, Özlem Leader

uganda akampa, tom israel studentaparo nyero, Bridget studentKayima van excel, sampras studentokol, emmanuel studentokullu, nuru studentnakiryowa, catherine Leadermatovu, abu-Bakar Leader

uKdesmier, Kiel studentelliot, joseph studentelliot, patrick studentmarshall, dale studentmorton, mark studentBonsall, jake Leaderjones, donna LeaderHayes, daniel Leader

Brazil capistrano, rafael studentcoelho, wyran studentde oliveira, natã studentde oliveira, Leonardo studentsantos, juliano studentcastro, alexandre Leader

canadaBeauchamp, Katie studentclysdale, donald studentwalsh-moreau, jessica studentweller, christopher studentZylka, alex studentLeveille, michael Leadermonaghan, clint Leader

germany franken, dominik studentfranken, Katja studentKrausche, jens studenttriescheidt, thomas studentvielmetter, michel studentfeltes, paul Leaderjach, annette Leader

greece Hatzidakis, Kiriakos studentHatzismalis, anna studentKoullias, apostolos nomikos studentKourounis, manolis studenttrikoilis, georgia studenttrikoilis, pavlos LeaderKoumpa, themelina Leader

indiadhanush Kodi, rama raja studentnarayanan, muthu selvi studentnazimudeen, tajwar Hussain studentraja manickam, Yuga devi studentsuresh Kumar, ram prasanth studentsantosham, selvi Leader

listofparticipants:volvo adventure award

Positive newsEven though climate change and human beings damage our Earth - the only place where we can live - people have started to realise that there are environmental problems and that we need to work on conserving the natural resources all over the world to help save our planet and preserve life.

Thousands, if not millions, of people have started taking action by setting up projects. Governments have started to pay attention and signed up against climate change for different protocols such as Kyoto. In the production of ‘white appliances’ for example, manufacturers of refrigerators have stopped using materials that produce chlorofluorocarbon which is bad for the environment. More countries are now starting to use renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy in place of fossil fuels which are rapidly diminishing. The laws which are made to protect biodiversity for example hunting illegally (poaching) are now being enforced to punish people who break these laws. Here is some more of the good news:

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re-usingshoppingBags■ Re-usingshoppingbagssavesresourcesandreducestheuseofnewmaterials.A ‘MyBag‘schemeisalreadyinuseinsomeplacesandweusefewerdisposable bagsnow.Thishaslocaleffectsonlybutcanbebuiltupontoreducethenumberof plasticbagsaroundtheworld.

waterawarenessincreased■ Issuesconcerningwaterarebeingtakenmoreseriously.Peoplearebeginningto understandtheimportanceofit,andwaterqualityisimproving.■ Environmentaleducationisimprovingaspeoplearelearninghowtousewatermore responsibly.Educationisveryimportant.■ InJapan“grey”waterisusedtowaterplantsandhelpsavefreshdrinkingwater. NowNaganocityandNaganoprefecturerecommendputtingrainwatertanksin eachhouse.Theyofferagrantforthis.Rainwatertanksareusefulflood-control measuresandusedtowaterplantsandsoon.■ Theyalsowanttostarttousegreywatertoflushthetoilets.Theamountofground waterisnowincreasinginJapan;agriculturehasimprovedandpeoplearehappy.

treeplantingandreforesting■ Weplanttreeslocally.Ithelpstomodifytheclimate,protectsthespeciesofthe forestandpromotestheuseofrenewabletechnology.■ Globally,thereislessextensionoftheDesert,morepreservationofspeciesand lessCO2intheatmosphere.Peoplehavebeguntocreatesolutions.

recycling■ Morepeoplearerecyclingandusingrecycledmaterials.We’veintroducedbottle recycling.■ Morepeopleareusinglitterbinsandmorelitterbinsarebeingplacedinpublic spaces.Thismeansthattheamountofgarbagewilldecrease.■ Peopleareusingrecycledpapersandbikes.Usingrenewableresourcesmeans thatnaturalresourcesaresaved.■ We’renotcuttingdownasmanytreesbecausetherearemorerecycledproducts.

increasedcommunication■ Communicationbetweencountriesisgettingbetterthankstoorganisationswho wanttohelptheenvironment.■ Communicationbetweencountriesacceleratesawarenessoftheirenvironments. Morepeoplenowknowwhatisgoingon.Therehavebeenbenefitstousallby raisingawarenessamongpeopleandsharingideas.■ ProjectsarespreadoutincountriessuchasUNEP’streeplantinginTurkeyand nativetreeplantinginUK.

morerenewaBleenergy■ Increaseduseofrenewableenergyisleadingtomoreindependenceindeveloping countries.■ Morealternativeenergysourcesareavailable,thankstoextensiveresearchdonein thisfield.

decreasedpollutionfromcars■ Thisissueisimportantbecausewewanttobeabletobreathe!Pollutionfromcars isdecreasing,mainlyinWesterncountries.Lesspollutionfromcarsmeansless acidrainandwecanbreathecleanerair.■ Peoplenowquestionwhichvehiclestheybuy.■ Publictransportationhasbecomemorecommon,sothatpeopledon’thavetorely onusingcars.

increasedKnowledgeaBoutenvironmentalproBlems■ Peoplehavemoreknowledgeabouttheenvironmentalproblemsandwhatcanbe donetomaketheworldabetterplacetolive.■ Therearemoreandmorepeoplewhotrytomaketheworldabetterplacetolive becauseenvironmentalissuesaremoreopenlydiscussedandmorepeopletryto makeadifference.

increasedinterest■ Moreinterestintheenvironmentmakesmorepeopletakeactioninordertohelp theenvironmentandmaketheworldabetterplacetobe.Ifwegetabetter environment,peoplestarttocaremoreandthenwecankeepitaniceplaceto livein.■ Moreinterestmeansthere’slesstrashinthestreetandinnaturalplaces,and thereforelesspollution.

moremoneyandresourcesforenvironmentalresearch■ Tomakeabigdifferenceyouusuallyneedeconomicresources.Moremoneyand resourceshavebeengivenforenvironmentalresearchandtoorganisationsthattry tohelptheenvironment.

Positive news

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Negative newsAs young people, we have been contributing to make the world a better place to live. We feel responsible to educate the commu-nity on environmental problem solving. The Volvo Adventure has given us the opportunity to learn and share our projects and ideas on the international stage. Working together as a group helped us to share and improve our knowledge. Following this you will find our own ideas and actions to help solve the environmental problems that we have encountered.

We can’t take the world for granted. We have to see the big picture rather than destroying natural resources, world species, natural habitats and the beauty of nature. The world has been given to us to enjoy; we should use it in a more responsible way and we have to respect Mother Nature. If the world is a gift, then why are we using it in a disposable way? If we all agree, action needs to be taken. Why are we still waiting? It’s not work of one person, it’s everybody’s responsibility. We need to act together to reverse the catastrophic effects.

Here are some of the problems we’re identified:

Negative news

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Buildingonagriculturalareas■ Wemustpreservethenaturalhabitatofanimalsandplants.Weneedtokeepthe ecologicalsystemandsavebiodiversity.Naturalenvironmentsarebeingdisturbed -factoriesandhousesarebeingbuiltinagriculturalareas.■ Wehavetobeabletoproduceourfood.Thereisashortageoffoodasagricultural landhasbeenconvertedintohomes.Riceandothersfoodgrainsarebeing importedfromotherstates.■ Pollution(noise,airandwater)isontheincrease.

poorattitudeonhygieneandresponsiBility■ Attitudestowardstidyinguptheenvironmentneedchanging.Peopleneedtohave astrongersenseofresponsibility,sothattheworldwillbeacleanerplace.

noisespollution■ Thisaffectsourphysicalandmentalwell-being.Therewillbelesshealthypeoplein theworldbecauseofnoisepollution.InIndianoiseisontheincreaseinpublic places.Rulesandlawsarenotadheredto.

toomuchgarBage■ Weareconsumingmorethanweneed.Wearewastingresources.Garbagelooks badinourtownsanditsmells;itislikevisualpollution.■ Theworldhasbeenturnedintoabin;soilgetspollutedwhentheyburythe garbageinlandfill.Thereiscontaminationoflocallandandwaterarounddumps. Peoplecan’tliveneardumps.■ Garbagedumpsarenotdevelopedproperly.Diseasesarespread.■ Garbagecontaminatestheoceanandotherwaterbodies.

waterproBlems■ Weneedwaterforlife.Weusetoomuchwaterandwastewater.■ Thereisnotenoughwaterforeverybody–therearemanypeopleandwaterisnot evenlydistributed.■ Groundwaterhasbeencontaminatedandthereisnowatertreatment.

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Biodiversitythreatened■ Peopleenjoynatureanditisimportantforallkindsoflife.Everythingisconnectedand balancedwithbiodiversity.Peoplehavenoconscienceaboutconservation.■ Thereisnorespectformarinewildlifeandthereisoveruseofsomespecies.■ Thegrowthofcitieshurtsbiodiversity.Therearefewernaturalareasascitiesgrow outintothem.■ Increasedhuntingandcommercialtrafficinendangeredspeciesishurtingbiodiversity.

ozonelayer■ Theozonelayerhasbeendamaged.Lungandskincancerrisksincrease;life expectancygetsshorter.Pregnantwomenandtheirbabiesareindanger.■ TheozonelayerhasbeenreducedbyCFCs.

increaseddeforestation■ Treesarebeingcutdown;thereisthedangeroferosion.■ Biodiversityhasbeenreducedasspecieslosehabitats.■ Oxygenpercentagesaredecreasing.

environmentalpollution■ Garbageonthegroundhasledtomoreillnessinanimalsandpeople.■ Thereareharmfulandcumulativeeffectsfromusingherbicides,pesticidesand insecticides.

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poaching■ Poachingisdestroyingthefoodchainandleadingtoanimalextinctions.■ Poachingforillegalskins/tuskssalesoranimaltestingisdestroyingecosystems.■ Wedon’tgettoseealltheanimalsanymoreanddon’tgettoseeallthebeautyof nature.

overpopulation■ Thereishungerandnotenoughsafedrinkingwater.■ Morepeoplemeanstherearemoregreenhouseeffectsasmorefuelisneeded.■ Thereismorehomelessness,whichleadstofewergreenspacesandmore immigration.■ Thereislessfoodandlessfarmland.■ Wearerunningoutofnon-renewableresources.

Buildingonwetlands■ Thewetlandsprovidecleanwaterfordifferentusage.Manyspeciesofplantsand animalslivethere.Wetlandscontrolfloodsandhelpindrainage.Speciesarefading awayduetobuildingonwetlands.■ Thereisfrequentfloodinginwetlandsareasandareductioninrainfall.

gloBalwarmingandclimatechange■ Theweather,biologicalandgeologicalsystemsarechanging.Therearegreater extremesofweatherandmorenaturalcatastrophessuchasflooding.■ Theiceatthenorthernandsouthernpolesismelting,leadingtoariseinsealevels andincreasingtheriskofflooding.

alotofdumpingindevelopingcountries■ Exportingproblemssuchasnuclearwastetodevelopingcountriesshowsno respecttothepeoplelivingthere.Localproductionisreduced,governmentsspend alotofrevenueandnewdiseasesareimported.■ Thegapbetweendevelopingandindustrialcountriesisgrowing.

increaseduseofcarsindevelopingcountries■ Developingcountriesarestartingtousecarsmoreandmoreandtheyaremainly usingfossilfuels.Thishasanegativeimpactonglobalwarming.

Negative news

Potential Positive ActionsFirstly we must act – and show a good example. You have seen what we can do. Now see what actions we can all take!

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usingpuBlictransportationandBiKes■ Governmentsshoulddecreasethetaxesonpublictransportationandincreasethetaxeson individualvehicles.■ Policeshouldusebikesandwalk,wherepossible,insteadofusingvehiclesthatdamagethe environment.■ Busfaresshouldbecheapertoencouragepeopletousethem.■ Weshouldusemorepublictransportandmorebicyclesinsteadofcars.■ Environmentalstampsshouldbegivenasanincentivewhenpublictransportisused.

encouragemorerecycling■ Thegovernmentmustmakelawstoenforcethecollectionofpaperandreusablematerials forrecycling.■ Thegovernmentshouldencouragetheuseofrecycledpaperbydecreasingitsprice.■ TheMinistryofEducationshouldmakeschoolsrecyclepaperandplanttreesaroundtheir school.■ Governmentandbusinessofficesmustrecycletheirpaper.■ Thegovernmentshouldmakealawthatensuresthatcompanieswhodemolishbuildings mustreusethematerialsfromthedemolishedbuildingswhenbuildingnewones.■ Thegovernmentshouldgivemoremoneytoencouragecomposting.■ Morelocalrecyclingcentresshouldbesetup.■ Educationinitiativesshouldteachpeopleaboutsortingwasteandtheproblemscausedif it’snotdonecorrectly.■ Weneedtodevelopaninternationalsortingsystemforwaste.■ Don’tburnplasticsasthiscausesacidrain.

government(puBlicsector)promoteprogramsthatcarefortheenvironment■ Makethegovernmentincludethecommunityindecisions.■ Enforcetherulesandregulationsthatalreadyexist.■ Createlawsthatprotecttheenvironmentwheretherearenolaws.

industry(privatesector)–hastoBeresponsiBlefortheirpollution■ Educateindustriesaboutthepollutionanditseffects.■ Havetougherlawstoprotecttheenvironmentfromcompaniesorpeoplewhopolluteand enforcethem.

science(academiccommunity)–mustestaBlishparametersforindustrytofollow■ Sciencemustfollowenvironmentalethicsandestablishparametersforindustrytofollow.■ Givetheinformationtogovernmentandeverybody.

Potential Positive Actions

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reforesting■ Plantmoreplantsandtrees.Topreventsoilerosionandtoimproveairquality,you canplanttreesandtheweatherallovertheworldcanimprove.■ Moretreesmeansincreasingbiodiversityandmoregreenspaces(parks).Planting treesmakespeoplebecomemoreawareabouttheirenvironmentsandseethe biggerpicture,tohelppreservelifeandthehumanrace.Thisisimportantbecause itleadstolesscarbondioxideandmoreoxygen,reducedsoilerosion,morehomes foranimals,morebeautytothelandandmoretrees.■ Donotlitterintheforest.■ Nodevelopmentshouldbeallowedinforestslikerainforests,whicharerichin biodiversity.Decisionmakerscanmakeitillegaltotakedownthetreesfromthe rainforestsandcangivepeopleworkbycultivatingthesetreesinstead.■ Theremustbenoclearcutting.■ Controlforestfires.■ Informpeopleabouttheproblems.■ Helppeopletofindalternativefuelsforcookingandheating.■ Givepeopleresponsibilityforatreebyintroducing“adoptatree”programs.■ Encouragethereusingofwoodandotherconstructionmaterialssuchastetra-pak plywood.■ Stopbuyinggardenfurniturewhichismadefromtreesfromrainforests.

encouragetheuseofecologicalproducts■ Ecologicalproductsshouldbeacheaperalternative.

reduceclimatechange/gloBalwarming■ Firstlywemustact–showagoodexample.Parentsmustact.Schoolfriendsmust act.ThecommunityofficesmustactandsomusttheEnvironmentalministry.■ Globaldebateisneededonclimatechangeandwhatcanbedoneaboutit.■ Insteadofusingcarsfuelledbypetrol,peoplecanusegreengaspoweredvehicles ortakethebusmoreregularly.■ Carsthatusemoreoilshouldpaymoretaxes.■ CarcorporationsandthegovernmentsshouldencouragetheusageofLPGand dieselbydecreasingprices.■ MorepetrolstationssupplyingLPGshouldbebuilt.■ Wecantakethebusanduseourbikesmoreoften!■ Driversshouldturntheengineoffwhenthecarisnotmoving.■ Weshouldbuyfoodandotherproductswhichareproducedinourcountries insteadofbuyingitemswhichhavebeentransportedalongway.■ Decisionmakerscanintroduceanenvironmentalsign/labelforproductswhich havenotbeentransportedveryfartomakeiteasierforusconsumerstochoose therightproducts.

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Potential Positive Actions

stoptheextinctionofwetlands■ It’simportanttobiodiversitytomaintainthewetlands,preventingthemfromdrying out.Governmentsmustintroducestrictlawsandpoliciesgoverningwetlandsandhelp speciestoliveinthewetlands(again).■ Governmentsmustgivealternativeplacesforpeopletobuildon.■ Letgovernmentsownthewetlands.

overcomeapathyandlacKofKnowledge■ Peopletendtonotcareaboutthenatureandtheenvironment,leadingtothe poisoningofthenaturalworld.Thisisn’tgoodfortheplants(whichareprovidingus withoxygen)orus.Wehavetospreadthemessage;ithasbeenaslightlypositive differenceincomparisonto20yearsago,althoughitstillisn’tgoodenough.■ ProjectsandactionsliketheVolvoAdventuregetmorepeopleinvolvedandit’sthe projectsthataddmorepeopletothecaretakingside.■ Ifthereisnoknowledgeabouthowtohelptheenvironment,thenthereisnothingthat peoplecandoabouttheissues.Somepeopleareunawareoftheproblemsthatare affectingtheirarea.Localcommunitiesneedtobemoreconsciousaboutthe environment.Theyneedtoreadmore,seemoreandactmore.■ Peoplehavetobeinterestedtomakeachange.Peoplewherewelivearenot interestedinhelpingtheenvironmentbecausetheydon’tseetheissues.Getthem interested.Nointerest=nochange.Theenvironmentinotherplaceswillbe destroyedfastandthedestructionwillspread-andpeopletherewon’tknowwhatto doaboutitunlesstheyaremadeaware.

usemorerenewaBleenergy■ Theremustbemoreresearchcarriedoutondifferentkindsofrenewableenergies. Researchersmustfindwaystoproducethingslikesolarcellscheaper.■ Successfulcasestudiesmustbeimplementedsowecanalllearnfromeachother.■ Usethewatercycleandsolarpowerandreducepollution.■ Useless.Saveenergy–switchthingsoff.Wedon’thavemanyfossilresourcesleft. Thepublichavetouselessfossilfuelsandmorerenewableresources.Thepublic havetotrytoaffectthepoliticians,andusethealternatives.■ Renewableenergyresourcesshouldbeusedmorecommonlybygovernment departments.

stopdumpingindevelopingcountries■ Introduceinternationallawsagainstdumping.■ TheUNshouldcreateablacklistofdumpingcountries.■ TheUNshouldfightagainstcorruptionandsmuggling.

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stopBuildingonagriculturalareas■ Studentscancreateawarenessamongstfellowstudentsaboutthevalueof agriculturalland.■ Thegovernmentshouldtakenoteofthisproblemandhavestrictrulestoprevent agriculturallandandriverbedsbeingconvertedintofactoriesandhouses.■ Oneproblemisthatsomefarmers’childrendon’twanttobefarmers.Theyshould trytoplantsomethingelsetomaintainthegreenareasandnotbuildonthem. Incentivesmustbegiventofamiliessothattheycancontinueinfarming.

changepoorattitudesonhygieneandsocialresponsiBility■ Schoolsplayanimportantroleineducatingchildrenonhygieneandcaringabout theenvironment.Educationmustincludehygieneandsocialresponsibility.■ Weasstudentsshouldbeanactiveexampletothepublic;studentscanbeactively involvedinclean-upcampaigns.■ Decisionmakerscandevelopstrictrulestopunishdefaulters.

reducenoisepollution■ Studentslikeuscancreateawarenessamongpeoplethatweknow.Wecanenact roadshowsandhavethisthemeinourannualschoolplays.Wecaneducateour ownparentsandcomplaintothecitylawmakerstoenforcediscipline.■ Treescanbeplantedbyschoolstudentstoabsorbnoise.■ Decisionmakerscanregulateroadcongestionbytrafficpolicetoprevent‘horn’ noise.Strictlegislationsmustbeframedandfollowed.■ Loudspeakernoisecanbereducedduringreligiousceremoniesbystrictrulesand regulations.

reducegarBage■ Weneedtoeducatepeople.Peopleneedtoconsumeless,learnhowtoseparate theirgarbageandrecycleit.Governmentsandeducatorsneedtocreateprograms toencouragepeopletomakethesechanges.■ Weneedtobuildproperlandfills(dumps)thatdon’thaveasmanyproblems.

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Potential Positive Actions

protectwatersupplies■ Weneedbetterwaystogetwatertopeoplesuchasbuildingcanalsandproperreservoirs.■ Promotethereuseofwaterbeforeitislost,aswellasthetreatmentofwater.■ Explaintopeopleaboutkeepingwaterpublicnotprivate.■ Whenonecountryisself-sufficientinwater,theWorldBankcanhelplessfortunate countries.

protectBiodiversity■ Weneedtostopcommercialfishingincoastalareastopromotethegrowthofmarine species.■ Fishermenhavetostopfishingrarespeciesoffish.Fishermenmuststopavoidingthelaws anddrivingfishtoextinction.■ Weneedtoincreasetheconservationofnaturalareasthatarenotprotected,andto expandareasthatarealreadyprotected.■ Increasescientificstudiesthatsupportbiodiversityandconservation.■ Peoplemuststopconsumingspeciesatriskandprotectedbylaw.

reduceairpollution■ Usethecarless.Usepublictransportation,bikesorwalkinstead.■ Increasetaxesonvehiclesusingfossilfuels.■ EncouragetheusageofLPGinsteadoffossilfuels.

reduceoverpopulation■ Limitthenumberofchildreneachfamilyhavesothattherearesmallerfamilies.■ Increaseimmigration.■ Richgovernmentsshouldhelppoorercountrieswiththeiroverpopulationproblems.

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reduceenvironmentalpollution■ Havemorerecyclingcollectionpointslikeinparksorpublicplaces.■ Usefewerthings.Weusemorethenweneedto.■ Usemorepublictransportation,bikesandwalking.■ Choosehybrid,solar,electric,naturalgas-poweredcarsratherthanthoserunning onfossilfuels.■ Thepoliticianshavetoinformpeopleandnewgenerationsaboutenvironmental problemsandwhatwecandoaboutthem.■ Governmentshavetochargetaxesifproducersmakethingsinawaythat’sbadfor theenvironment.

eliminatepoaching■ Stophunting.■ Createnationalforestsandprotectthemfrompoachers.■ Supportorganizationsprotectinganimalsfrompoachers.■ Increasesecurityandpolicetoeliminatepoaching.

stopdevelopingcountriesrelyingonfossil-fuelledcars■ Wecaninfluencecompaniesmakingcarstomakethemforother(non-fossil)fuels throughstartingdebateswiththecommunity,thecompaniesandthepoliticians.■ Decisionmakerscangivedifferentkindsofbenefitstopeoplewhousecarson alternativefuels,suchastaxreductionsandfreeparkingincities.■ Developedcountriescansharetheirresearchonalternativefuelswithdeveloping countriesandencouragedevelopingcountriestonotmakethesamemistakesin relyingtoomuchonfossilfuels.

Potential Positive Actions

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Project summariesHere are our practical projects– we can do it, so can you!

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Project summaries

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Brazil:institutoilhasdoBrasil’proJ.estrelasdomar’

Theprojectaimstoconservemarinebiodiversityandpromotecommunity-basedtourismthroughyouthleadership.Theyouthsareeducatedviaacontinuededucationalprogramthatwillenablethemtoofferservicesandproductsrelatedtoscubadiving,ecologyandlocalculture.TheintroductionofaYouthEntrepreneurshipDevelopmentCentre(wherethelocalSustainableTourSupportBasefunctions)becameapowerfultooltoenhancetheimportanceofthelocalyouthrolewithinthecommunity.TheparticipantsoftheprogramwerewellratedbytouristsfromallovertheworldthathadtheopportunitytocometoPântanodoSul.

canada:educariumschoolJeanvaniercatholicschool‘macounmarshBiodiversityproJect’

Ourstudentshavebeenrecordingtheirresearch,biodiversitylistings,graphsandcountsinpersonaljournals.Thesejournalsarealsofortheirwrittenreflections.TheirresearchworkissharedwiththelocalWildlifeFestival,theOttawa100thMonkeyEco-SummitforYouth,andattheCanadianMuseumofNature.Newsarticlesandawebsitehavebeenpreparedbythestudents.Studentsareteachingstudents!Thestudentsarehelpingthecommunitytoprotectandenhancethiswetland.Awetlandenhancementprogrammeisbeingplanned.Fundinghasnowbegun.

”In this project, the children get a role and they take on a responsibility for the local environment. It shows how much they can do to create possibilities for youths to stay in their beautiful environment”

“A real biodiversity project which includes awareness building, has a long-term view and is well structured, with great implications for local nature and a possibility to duplicate the project elsewhere.”

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germany:sunworker/gymnasiumfrechen’powertomadagascar’

“PowertoMadagascar”isasolarpartnershipwithstudentsfromGymnasiumFrechenSecondarySchool,Germany(nearCologne)andAndalamengokyPrimarySchool,SouthMadagascar.AtGymnasiumFrechenagroupofstudentsstartedtheirownfirm“Sunworker”workinginenvironmentalprojectstoofferadviceinsavingenergyandsellradios,whichtheyhaverebuiltusingsolarcells.Thestudentsstartedthefirmbecausetheywanttoshowpeoplethatsustainabilityandeconomicthinkingarecloselyconnected.InMadagascartheuseofrenewableenergiesisachancetopreventdeforestationandhelpspeopletonotneedexpensivefuelsforlighting.With“PowertoMadagascar”wewanttolearnmoreinGermanyabouttheextremelydifferentlifesituationofpeopleinthisAfricancountry.WewanttobringsolarequipmenttoAndalamengokyPrimarySchoolforhelpingthepupilsandthepeopleofthevillagetolearnmoreabouttheuseofthisfuturetechnology.InApril2005thefirstcontactwiththeschoolinAndalamengokywasmade.Themessagewhichwewanttodeliveristhatfirstlyenergysavingisabsolutelynecessaryandsecondlysolartechnologyisafuturetechnologywhicheventodaycanhelptosolvetomorrow‘sproblems.With“PowertoMadagascar”weintendtocontributeourknowledgewithinaNorth-SouthpartnershiptopromotetheuseofrenewableenergiesinGermanyandinMadagascar.Wearejustatthebeginningofourprojectandmanythingswillhavetobedoneinfuture.AfterthefirststepswearehopingtobesuccessfulinclosingthegapbetweenEuropeandAfricaalittlebitwith“PowertoMadagascar”.WewanttoactforabetterfuturefortheAfricanpeopleandourlivinginapeacefulandsustainableworld.

greece:primaryschoolofargos–Kalymnos‘recyclingmeanslife’

Ourprojectisthatrecyclingcansavetheenvironment.Wearerecyclingpaper,organicwaste,batteriesandinkcartridgesatschoolandwehaveinformedandshowedotherpupilshowtheycandoit.Wehavedoneasurveywithquestionnairestocitizens,localcompaniesandauthoritiestofindouthowbigtheproblemis.Wehaveinformedthemthatrecyclingisthewaytoreduceorreuseourwaste,throughourregionalTV.Wehavedoneabazaarwithrecycledthingstoshowtopeoplehowwecanreusethingsfromourwaste.WehavetalkedwiththemayoraboutrecyclingandwegavehimanexampleforalocalAgenda21program.Webelievethatmorepeoplenowknowthatrecyclingcanprotecttheenvironment.

“A real biodiversity project which includes awareness building, has a long-term view and is well structured, with great implications for local nature and a possibility to duplicate the project elsewhere.”

“A very simple but innovative project that can be replicated in any community. The project is implemented by a group of dedicated children who have used all methods of communication to mobilize support from the public and private sector.”

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india:highersecondaryschool’wastageofdrinKingwater’

Problemsaffecttheenvironmentbothdirectlyandindirectly.Theprojectwedeveloped‘WastageofDrinkingWater’worksonbothlevels.Wefocusedonawatertankinourschoolcampus,whichstoresdrinkingwaterforabout1600students.Wefoundthetankemptiedbylateafternoon,contrarytotheexpectationofthecaretakers,duetothewayinwhichthewaterwasbeingused.Wewantedthewatersupplytolastuntiltheendoftheschoolday.Werequestedthattheleakingtapswerereplacedandthattumblerswereprovidedtoreducethequantityofwaterlostwhilststudentsdrankfromtheircuppedhands.Wecreatedpostersandsloganstobedisplayedandexplainedtheimportanceandrightusageofdrinkingwaterwiththehelpofteachingstaffatassemblyandintheclassrooms.Membersoftheprojectteammonitoredthequeuesandmadesurethatallstudentsusedthetumblers.Wecouldseearemarkabledifferencebetweenthesituationsbeforeandafterourproject.Before,thewaterspentperdaywas4500litresandnowitis2750litres,so1750litresofdrinkingwateraresavedeveryday.Thetotalsavingsfortheschoolisaround63,000rupeesfortheyear.Thestudentshavelearntthewaysofusingaresourceandtoprotectit.Ithasbeenrunningnowformorethansevenmonthssuccessfully.Theapproachhasnowhasbeensharedwith3152parentsoftheschool.

Japan:discovernature‘tolearnaBout,toinform,toKeep,natureofnagano’

ThemainobjectiveofourprojectistolearnaboutnatureinNaganofromdifferentapproachessuchascarryingoutresearchonfireflies,watercreaturesandnocturnalforests.Webelievethatstudyingbroadlywillencourageusalltothinkaboutourenvironment.Wehavebeendoingtrashpicking,conductingwatercreaturesurveys,andattendinglecturesonfireflies.Wehaveparticipatedinatree-plantingworkshopledbyFinnishstudentsonthe‘InternationalDayForPeace’,whichwasorganizedbyUNEP.Afterattendinglecturesandevents,wediscussedtheissuestogetherinordertodevelopourthoughtsandideasintofurtheractivities.Finally,we’vemadeacommitmenttoNaganoanditsubmittedtoNaganoCitygovernors,andarecurrentlyputtingitintopractice.

“A localized and inspiring project by a group of committed young people. Even though the project is small-scale, it addresses a very important environmental issue in a unique way.”

“A very interesting and nearly complete study of many animals and plants, including endangered and edible species.”

Project summaries

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mexico:redambientalscoutdenayarit’sociedadconscienteamBientesano/conscioussociety,healthyenvironment’

Oneyearago,aftermakingevaluationexpeditions,wediscoveredthatthemostimportantproblemtosolveisanawarenessofenvironmentalissues.Sixyoungpeopledesignedaprojecttointerestpeopleintacklingenvironmentalproblemsthroughyouthdevelopmentprograms.Sincethenwehaveincreasedourteamandachieved:forumsfor2700youthsandchildren,workshopsfor450children,garbageseparationprogramsandcompetitionsinthreelocalschools,promotingcivilparticipationthroughout,introducedreforestationprogramsandturtlecamps.WehaveestablishedpartnershipswithNGOs,governmentagenciesandinstitutions.

turKey:theKocschool‘recycledBoxesforeducation’

Inourproject,wecollectedjuiceboxes,hadthempressed,turnedthemintodesksanddonatedthemtoschoolsinneed.Thus,wewereabletoprovethatthematerials,obtainedfromgarbage,canberecycledforuseinthecommunity.Eventhoughourprojectwasinitiallypromotedonlyinourownschoolandafewotherinstitutions,wewerestillabletoachievemajoraccomplishmentsinashortspaceoftime.Withinfivemonths,weproduced30desksandsaved17trees.ItwillbepossibletorespondtooneofthemostbasicneedsofmanyschoolsinTurkeywithinamaximumoftwoyears.

“The project focused on the development of a healthy environment and on learning ways to implement this in schools, back at home and elsewhere. By carrying out training workshops for other schools, the project has also showed a successful way of communicating their ideas.”

“A highly sophisticated but achievable project by a group of dedicated young people. The team managed to develop partnerships with both the public and the private sector and engaged young people from other institutions in the community. The project uses a wide range of communication media to promote and create awareness on the issue of waste and recycling.”

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uganda:wetlandandsports’wetlandsandsportsByyoungpeople’

WetlandsandSportsprojectwasadoptedfouryearsagobyyoungpeopleinresponsetoproblemscausedbyactivitiesincludingthedrainageofwetlands,theconstructionofstructures,dumpingandgrazing.Wehavebeendrawingonexpertiserelevanttobiodiversityfromwithinthecommunitytoworkwithlocalpartners.Webeenbuildingasportscentre,launchinganinformationandawarenessprogrammeandpromotingsportsinthecommunity.Wehaveshownthatconservingthewetlandscanberunasabusinesslikefarmingandbringsyoungpeopletogethertoformsocialsportsgroups.Theprojecthascreatedcommunitydiscussionforumsandeducatedpeopleonthefiscalaspectsofwetlands.Wealsohaveaschool,GoodSamaritanNurseryandPrimarySchool.

uK:recyclecyclesyouthgroup‘recyclecycles’

Theprojectcreativelyengages40alienatedyoungpeoplefromManor/Woodthorpeinrecycling200unwantedcyclesdonatedbythecommunityandofferingthemtofamiliesandyoungpeoplemostinneed.Thisiscommunitydevelopmentwithandonbehalfofyoungpeoplelinkingresidents,forumsandagenciestogetherwithyoungpeople.CommunityresearchhasbeenundertakenwiththePolice,EnvironmentalTeam,SheffieldWildlifeTrust,GreenEstatesTeam,StreetRangersandWoodthorpeDevelopmentTrust.Youngpeoplehavebeengivenskillsandaccreditedfortheirprojectwork.Apackageofenvironmentallearningmaterialshasbeenproducedtoincludeafilm,gamesandabook.

“A great project to save wetlands in the community through coordinated and cooperative approach with many engaged young people. The project uses sports as a vehicle to mobilize youth.”

“An inspiring project engaging young people in community problem solving. Through donating repaired abandoned bicycles to families and children, this project has succeeded in reducing waste and emissions.”

Project summaries

VolvoAdventureisajointprojectbetweentheVolvoGroupandVolvoCarCorporationwiththepurpose

ofincreasingenvironmentalawarenessandencouragingenvironmentalactivities

amongthedecisionmakersofthefuture.

www.VolvoAdventure.org