May 22 2007

By Amy Hunt,
The Evening Chronicle
 

A week of events will mark this year's World Environment Day with people from all over the North East doing their bit to help the planet.

Activities have been organised across the region around World Environment Day, Tuesday June 5, 2007.

On Wednesday, an international day of action, is being promoted on Tyneside, and the rest of England and Wales, by the Environment Agency.

And councils in the North East have organised activities which will mark the day.

The aim is to get more people involved in recycling, energy-saving and generally changing their lifestyles for the good of the environment.

World Environment Day was set up in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly.

Millions of people in 100 countries are expected to take part this year.

Each World Environment Day has a theme and this year it is climate change. People are being challenged to think about what they are currently doing to tackle climate change and what more they could be doing.

In Newcastle the popular Green Festival will be among the highlights of a week of events.

The 13th annual Green Festival will take place on June 9 and 10 in the city's Leazes Park and entry is free. This year's festival, dubbed the Glastonbury of the North East, is expected to be the biggest ever, attracting around 15,000 people.

The main aim of the festival is to raise awareness about green and ethical issues through a weekend of fun and educational activities for adults and children of all ages and cultures.

Stages featuring music of different styles, dance shows, activities for children, and locally produced food and drink will be on offer at the festival.

The Saturday event is a family-focused day with no alcohol on sale and a more relaxed music policy, while Sunday is the full festival experience. Everyone is welcome on both days.

Another highlight will be free public screenings of Al Gore's film about climate change, An Inconvenient Truth, at the Theatre Royal, on June 4.

The first screening, at 1.30pm, will be open to school parties, and after the second viewing, at 5.30pm, there will be a debate about climate change, with a panel including Graeme Warren, area manager of the Environment Agency, Steve Hunter, director of the North East Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre and Joanne Carr, director of business development at National Energy Action.

Events start on June 1 with a farmer's market around the Grey's Monument featuring local produce to help local people cut down on the miles their food has travelled.

On the day itself a free green fair and exhibition will be set up around Grey's Monument and the top of Grainger Street and Grey Street, from 11am to 5pm. Various environmental organisations and companies, giving out advice and information, will be at the fair. Food and entertainment will also be on offer.

To find out more about the week of activities email , call 0191 211 6146 or visit www.newcastle.gov.uk/wed.