May 15 Chi-World-Enviro-Day
Unveil North American Student Climate Change Art Exhibition, Present Chicago's Best Awards
Announce First-Ever Recipient of Bayer USA Foundation World Environment Day Community Grant
WHO & WHAT:
Chicago native Dr. Mae C. Jemison, the nation's first African-American female astronaut, science literacy advocate and environmental professor, will join with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Bayer Corporation officials, international climate change experts and 400 Chicago elementary school children to celebrate the 36th annual World Environment Day at the Chicago Botanic Garden, this year's North American festivities host venue.
Together, they will:
- unveil the first-ever North American International Children's Painting Competition (ICPC) exhibition (a signature World Environment Day event) and announce the winners of the two Chicago's Best Awards.
- present the first-ever Bayer USA Foundation - World Environment Day Community Grant to underwrite a Chicago-based environmental education program.
Immediately after,
Dr. Jemison will lead the children through an interactive presentation on the topic "Are you ever too young to learn about climate change and environmental protection?"
Commemorated each year on
June 5, World Environment Day takes place in six UNEP regions around the world, including
North America, and is designed to raise global awareness of critical environmental issues. Tied to the 2008 World Environment theme
CO2 Kick the Habit Towards a Low Carbon Economy, the daylong series of events at the Chicago Botanic Garden also will include:
- Afternoon plenary session featuring local, regional, national and international experts to discuss the latest research on global warming, climate change and carbon reduction, including Dr. Ashok Khosla, former UNEP director and 2002 recipient of the Sasakawa Environment Prize.
- "Knowledge and Action" marketplace with demonstrations on reducing our carbon footprint by non-profit, academic and student, government, cultural and environmental organizations.
- Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden will feature the latest organic composting and gardening techniques, including easy-to-grow, carbon-absorbing plants.
Bayer Corporation and Bayer AG are regional and global sponsors, respectively, of UNEP, World Environment Day and the International Children's Painting Competition.
WHEN:
Thursday, June 5, 2008
12
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
International Children's Painting Competition and Youth Program
WHERE:
Regenstein Center and McGinley Pavilion
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL
CONTACT: Bryan Iams of Bayer Corporation, +1-412-777-5200
/PRNewswire-USNewswire --
May 15/
SOURCE Bayer Corporation
