All students of the Maldives will be making a big appeal simultaneously on 5 June on World Environment Day this year, calling their parents, family members government, NGOs and every Maldivian to pledge their complete support for the protection of the environment This is going to be one of the major events the Maldives would undertake to mark the Environment Day. The students numbering more than 100,000 who constitute about one third of the population of the island nation, will make a strong pledge themselves that they will do everything possible for the protection of the environment and ensure maximum environment sustainability. The students will appeal for the international community and world leaders to take urgent and effective measures to save the world from the increasing challenges and threats of environment. The Maldives is particularly worried and concerned about the recent reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirming that global warming and climate change have reached alarming proportions and immediate action is required to reverse this situation. The Maldives with over 1190 islands which are barely a metre above the sea level, is among the most vulnerable countries to the effects of global warming and sea-level rise. The Asian Tsunami of 2004 has also caused colossal devastation and loss to the country. With the many initiatives taken by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at international, regional and national levels for environment protection, the country is relentlessly working for urgent support and action to tackle these problems, The Maldives has suffered extensive depletion of its water resources and are experiencing unprecedented coastal erosion in many islands. The Government has given its strongest commitment to ensure environmentally sustainable development. The country will start implementing a new comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment Regulation from 1 May for this purpose and govern stricter and environmentally balanced development. All schools of the Maldives have very active environment clubs which are dedicated to promoting and protecting environment through many activities and programmes run by the schools. The United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP has launched an Eco-School Programme in the Maldives in 2006 by the UNEP former Executive Director, Dr. Klaus Toepfer  |