The World Environment day is celebrated annually on the 5^th July. The Environment Council organized a series of activities for celebration. The event was held on 5^th June at 15:00 at the auditorium of the Museum of Art of Macao and comprised 3 activities: an exhibition on the future climate, the inauguration of the campaign "Preserve Natural Resources. Bring your own ecological bag while shopping", and the launch of the book "Environmental Conventions and Macao". The celebrations of 2008 World Environment Day started on 31^st May together with the Joint Campaign 2 Regions and 5 Cities that aims to disclose environmental information to population and promote environmental protection through a more ecological life.

    2008 World Environment Day is celebrated all over the world under the motto "Kick the habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy" so that worldwide population adopt measures leading to a change in habits that have been contributing to the emission of greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide. In the transition from a traditional to a cleaner and greener economy, the focus on using renewable energies and a dramatic reduction in the inefficient use of fossil fuels will certainly have a main impact globally. The Environment Council intended, through the exhibition posters "The Future Climate", to disclose information on greenhouse effect (GE), causes and consequences, and measures contributing to its reduction. The posters cover several matters such as what is greenhouse effect, its relationship with climate changes, activities that cause higher emissions of greenhouse gases, climate change impact, what has been done to face climate change, greenhouse gas emission in Macao and measures to reduce the emission of these gases, etc. In conclusion, this exhibition alert people to change their habits towards an environmental friendly lifestyle as well as to encourage a low carbon economy. "The Future Climate" exhibition was open to the public until 7^th June at galley of the ground floor of the Museum of Art of Macao.

    Simultaneously with the exhibition, the Environment Council had launched a book on Environmental Conventions and Macao, which is expected to become a popular reading book among students of the secondary schools. The book is contents several chapters, focusing on specific matters such as atmosphere, hazardous waste, biodiversity, and oceans, some important international conventions, which is applicable in Macao Special Administrative Region, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and other Matter.

    The book covers conventions, changes and development and main points of conventions, and simple actions that may be adopted by everyone on a daily basis so as to help implement these conventions, for instance how to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and be in pace with a low carbon economy.

    Along the ceremony of "Environment Conventions and Macao", the Environment Council offered the books to the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Faculty of Science and Education of Macao University, Macao Central Library, and 19 representatives of secondary schools.

    Residents may consult this book on Environment Council website at www.ambiente.gov.mo or collect it in our premises at Alameda Dr. Carlos D'Assumpção, Dynasty Plaza building, 10^th floor.

    In order to achieve a cleaner and greener economy, the rationalization of resources and the reduction of the waste are of extreme importance. Thus, as on previous years the campaign "Preserve Natural Resources. Bring your own bag while shopping" was launched during the commemoration of World Environment Day. The Environment Council counted on the collaboration of several entities as follows: Macao General Union of Neighbours Associations, Macao Federation of Trade Unions, Macao Women's Association, Macao Chong Wa Students' Association, Macao Scouts' Association, and Macao Flying Eagle Club, and the support of 58 stores. This campaign will be hold from 5^th June until 31^st August. The Environment Council intends this activity motivate citizens to use ecological bags when shopping, thus reducing plastic waste and contributing to the environmental protection.

    Along the period mentioned above, bring your own bag while shopping on designated places. You will be given a lucky draw ticket for being stamped on purchasing. When ticket is fully stamped (6 stamps), you will be entitled to participate in the lucky draw, which includes prizes amounting MOP $11,000.00. Tickets can also be withdrawn at various places: Environment Council; Supermarket Dah Chong Hong (all branches); Supermarket Seng Cheong (Taipa); Park'N Shop (all branches); Supermarket Wang Kei Ltd. (all branches); Bookstore Wan Tat (all branches); Supermarket Royal Ltd. (all branches); Watson's The Chemist (Macau) Limited (all branches); Bookstore Seng Kwong Ltd.; Imports & Exports Chi Fu Ltd.; Supermarket Tai Fung (Taipa); Supermarket San Miu (all branches); Supermarket Benvindo Lda.; Agency Commercial Soi Cheong Ltd.; Supermarket Shui Heng; Portuguese Bookstore; and Cultural Plaza Ltd.

    The event counted on the presence of the president of the General Council of the Environment Council, Mr. Leong Vai Tac; the acting president of the Executive Committee of the Environment Council, Ms. Vong Man Hung; acting member of the Executive Committee of the Environment Council, Mr. Wong Sai Heng; and the representatives of the collaborating entities, such as: the vice president of Macao General Union of Neighbours Associations, Ho Kam Ha; Sub director of Public Relations and Regestry of Macao Federation of Trade Unions, Pan Vai Kam; vice president of Macao Women's Association, Lao Kam Leng; vice president of Macao Chong Wa Students' Association, Mr. Wong Ka Leong; vice administrator of Macao Scouts' Association, Leong Yin Fon; and assistant administrator of Macao Flying Eagle Club, Leong Kam Seng.