The U.S. Embassy Marks Earth Day and Promotes GLOBE Program

Riga, April 21, 2007. – This week the U.S. Embassy’s Press and Cultural Attaché William Bellis will visit Limbazi 1st High School and Grammar School of Nordic Languages in Riga to mark Earth Day and promote international GLOBE program.

April 22, in Limbazi William Bellis will plant a fir-tree at Limbazi 1st High School as well as present the set of books to the school. The World Environment book set contains 27 books about current environmental issues - air and water pollution, global warming, the ozone layer, endangered species of our planet. The book collection is designed for primary and high school students.

The U.S. Embassy supports the international environment and science GLOBE program. In Limbazi 1st High School William Bellis will open a presentation about GLOBE program for representatives from different schools. Limbazi 1st High School is one of senior members of GLOBE program.

The next day, April 23, Press and Cultural Attaché will visit Grammar School of Nordic Languages in Riga to also mark Earth Day. The U.S. Embassy presents more than 10 trees and will participate in planting ceremony.

GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) is a worldwide community of students, teachers, scientists, and citizens working together to better understand, sustain, and improve Earth's environment at local, regional, and global scales. GLOBE’s mission is to promote the teaching and learning of science, enhance environmental literacy and stewardship, and promote scientific discovery. Latvia joined GLOBE program in 1999.

Celebrating Earth Day has been a tradition in America since 1970. In order to attract more attention to environmental problems, former United States Senator Gaylord Nelson started a movement to protect the environment in the 1960s. His goal was to raise awareness among people and governments about the environmental problems. Many Americans supported the idea of Earth Day when it was first observed in 1970 and this year April 22 marks 37th anniversary since the establishment of this day.

To celebrate the Earth Day, Liepaja American Center has set up a retrospective poster exhibit featuring 15th anniversary Earth Day posters. Both Liepaja and Daugavpils American Centers will organize drawing contests for primary and secondary school students.

U.S. Embassy, Riga, Public Affairs Section
Smilšu iela 7
Rīga, LV 1050
Phone: 371 6750-9022
Internet: riga.usembassy.gov
Media specialist's e-mail: dilanes@state.gov