Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

MR 070921 CUW

MEDIA RELEASE

21 September 2007

For immediate release

Mal Meninga backs environment campaign in PNG

 

Australian rugby league legend Mal Meninga joined local school children today to raise awareness about protecting the natural environment and combating climate change.

Mr Meninga spoke about the environment during a tree planting event at Wardstrip Demonstration School in Port Moresby as part of the Clean Up the World campaign.

Around 35 million people in over 120 countries take part in Clean Up the World activities each September, making it one of the largest environmental campaigns in the world. The Australian Government is an official supporter of the campaign.

Mr Meninga said: “Sport is about being fit and healthy. Keeping fit and healthy is important for us all, not just for sportsmen and women. It is the same with the environment. We need to look after the environment and keep it healthy so that we can all prosper.

“Trees protect us from climate change by absorbing greenhouses gases, which helps to keep the world healthy. That is why we are planting trees today.”

Mr Meninga added: “Australia and PNG are close neighbours and friends and we share a passion for rugby league. Let’s also share a passion for protecting the environment.”

NCDC Governor, Hon Powes Parkop, MP; Eastern Highlands Governor, Hon Malcolm Smith Kela, MP; and the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis, also took part in the Clean Up the World tree planting event.

The trees were a gift from the Australian High Commission. Ten were planted at the school and another 40 were donated to the NCDC as a contribution to its tree planting initiative.

Mr Moraitis said: “The Australian Government is committed to achieving the conservation, sustainable use and repair of the environment both in Australia and internationally.

“We are proud to make this small contribution to the environment as part of Clean Up the World and we are proud to be working in partnership with PNG to make this happen.”

This is the second year that PNG has been involved in Clean Up the World. Last September National Capital District Commission (NCDC) staff joined Australian High Commission staff for a major clean up along Ela Beach in Port Moresby.

The 2007 theme was ‘Our Climate, Our Actions, Our Future'. The aim was to encourage communities to take action to address the causes of climate change. Planting trees helps to combat climate change by absorbing the greenhouse gases which cause global warming.

 

Media Inquiries: Leigh Arnold, Public Diplomacy Manager, T: 325 9333 ext 275