Vientiane people marks World Environment Day

June 10 (KPL) - More than 10,000 people from all social strata in Vientiane capital gathered on 5 June to clean up the streets to mark the world environment day. This was a part of activities to implement the Decree of the Prime Minister on Declaring of 2008 as the National Sanitation Year. The cleaning was in the area of Lane-Xang avenue, Kaysone Phomvihan, Sethathirath, Samsenthai, Anouvong, LuangPrabang raods. "The slogan for this year's World Environment Day is "CO2, Kick the Habit! Toward a Low Carbon Economy". This is to encourage people to reduce the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere," said Deputy Prime Minister Axang Laoly. Mr Axang was speaking at a ceremony to start the public street cleaning activities. He said temperatures were rising as global warming increased and worldwide climate changes were occurring because of the excessive release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. He said climate change was affecting people's lives around the world as well as natural resources, sustainable development and economic growth and was contributing to agriculture and health problems and natural disasters. "This year's slogan is very important in helping people the world over to understand the environmental challenges they face and to help each other protect our natural resources," he said. Mr Axang said this year people in Laos would plant one million trees to help make cities green and clean. People would also be urged to reduce their use of plastic bags and develop an improved system of garbage collection. "Planting more trees helps to reduce air pollution emissions, especially greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide, which are the major causes of global warming," Mr Axang said. Vientiane Mayor Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune said Saturday's activities were part of ongoing efforts to make Vientiane a 'greener' city. The events also encouraged the public to be aware of the kinds of actions that were needed to protect the environment and the need to reduce the use of plastic. He also urged Lao people to participate in activities to mark National Sanitation Year, which would help achieve the Millennium Development Goal on water and sanitation.