Climate Action

OCEAN CONSERVANCY AND 500,000 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTE 10.2 MILLION ENVIRONMENTAL ACTS TO EARTH DAY NETWORK’S BILLION ACTS OF GREEN®

Contact: Kelly Ricaurte, Ocean Conservancy Phone:  202-351-0482 Email: [email protected] Contact: Jennifer Resick, Earth Day Network Phone: 202.518.0044, ext. 21 Email:  [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         

Ocean Conservancy and 500,000 Volunteers Contribute 10.2 Million Environmental Acts to Earth Day Network’s Billion Acts of Green®

Washington, D.C., April 14 —In honor of Earth Day’s 40th anniversary and on behalf of almost 500,000 dedicated volunteers, Ocean Conservancy is contributing 10.2 million acts to Earth Day Network’s Billion Acts of Green® in an effort to help save our blue waters. Environmental service is a foundation of annual Earth Day activities and the Billion Acts of Green® initiative lies at the core of this program. Billion Acts of Green® is an effort to collect impactful environmental actions from individuals, organizations and governments to send a powerful message to world leaders that we must change how we interact with the planet. “Earth Day Network’s Billion Acts of Green® is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to make commitments to improve the environment,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network. “We are honored that Ocean Conservancy is contributing their massive service acts to send a public message that the time for positive environmental efforts is now.” On September 19,2009, volunteers removed 10.2 million pieces of trash from coastlines in 108 countries and territories around the world and recorded data on everything they found using standardized data cards. The data volunteers collect helps Ocean Conservancy develop a global snapshot of what is trashing our oceans, lakes and rivers. By identifying the sources of marine debris we can work together to find solutions to help counter one of the biggest pollution problems we face. “Ocean Conservancy is proud to be a part of Earth Day Network’s Billion Acts of Green®, and send a collective message that it’s time to make meaningful changes on behalf of the planet,” said Sonya Besteiro, Associate Director of the International Coastal Cleanup. “The 500,000 volunteers that participated in last year’s International Coastal Cleanup share a common vision of a trash-free ocean, and last year they cleaned up an amazing 10.2 million items in a single day – from cigarette butts and fast-food wrappers to fishing nets and plastic bags. Cleanups alone can’t solve the problem; but by working together we can find solutions that will stop marine debris at the source.” Earth Day is a launch pad for course-changing, positive environmental action. Since 1970, Earth Day has activated individuals and organizations to strengthen the collective fight against man’s exploitive relationship with the planet. Earth Day Network seeks to make April 22, 2010 the next moment to unite the environmental community worldwide to take action against climate change and take steps to perpetuate a green economy. For additional information about the International Coastal Cleanup, and to sign up to be a part of the next wave of volunteers visit: www.oceanconservancy.org. For more information on Earth Day Network, visit archiveedn.wpengine.com or to register your service acts visit www.billionactsofgreen.org. About Earth Day Network Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. Our mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable environment. We pursue our mission through a combination of education, public policy, and consumer activism campaigns. Earth Day Network campaign and programs are predicated on the belief that an educated, energized population will take action to secure a healthy future for itself and its children. The organization has a global reach with a network of more than 20,000 partners and organizations in 190 countries. Earth Day Network is a 501(c)3 organization located in Washington, DC. About Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy is the world’s foremost advocate for the oceans. Through science-based advocacy, research, and public education, we inform, inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. Ocean Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific, including Alaska, with support from more than half a million members and volunteers. www.oceanconservancy.org.

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